Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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646. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 583 of 17 December 2020, the reason the HSE has refused to disclose the location of the 18 ambulatory carer hubs; if his Department has been provided with locations for some or all of these hubs; if so, the locations of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5150/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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A key component of the Enhanced Community Care (ECC) Programme is the provision of specialist Ambulatory Care Hubs under a secondary care model for the management of chronic disease and older people with complex needs.

Funding has been allocated to support 11 prioritised hospitals in the development of 18 Ambulatory Care Hubs. Community Healthcare Organisations have been asked to identify sites where the provision of these hubs would be most effective in providing services to older people and to those with chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular and respiratory conditions in their local area.  However, it is important to stress that the hub is not designed as a static location.  The team members will provide services across their catchment area and will see and treat patients as close to home as possible.

My Department is working closely with the HSE in regard to the implementation of all aspects of the ECC programme, including the development of the ambulatory care hubs. At the most recent meeting between officials on this matter, final locations had not yet been determined pending further scheduled discussion with the Chief Officers of Community Health Organisations.

I have therefore asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy and to provide him with the very latest available information on this matter.