Paul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein)
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636. To ask the Minister for Health the reason cervical smears and B12 injections are being cancelled through the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5119/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The exceptional circumstances faced by medical practitioners during the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a change in how GP services are delivered.  At this time, patient in-person contact with GPs has been curtailed as much as possible to help prevent the spread of the virus. Nurse and doctor advice is provided over the phone where appropriate, and only patients who are clinically assessed as requiring a face to face consultation with a doctor are referred for an appointment. These measures are in place to ensure the safety of patients, GPs, and practice staff.

GPs continue to see patients in surgery where necessary, including for the administration of B12 injections, and the Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP) has provided guidance in relation to the management of B12 injections in the context of the priority of GP services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In relation to cervical smears, the CervicalCheck programme is continuing to operate during the current level 5 restrictions.  The Department and the National Screening Services (NSS) are aware of the pressure faced by those in general practice and community-based clinics at this time.  GP practices and community clinics may have reduced capacity in the short-term.

The NSS are notifying women that they do not need to book with their own GP and that a list of registered screeners and information on booking with alternative sample takers in their area is available on their website www.hse.ie/cervicalcheck.