Written answers

Wednesday, 24 February 2021

Photo of Alan FarrellAlan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael)
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893. To ask the Minister for Health the plans being considered for the reopening of the gay men’s health service which has been closed since March 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9886/21]

Photo of Frank FeighanFrank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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The Gay Men's Health Service is a community STI service and is managed through HSE Community Healthcare East (CHO6).

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an unprecedented interruption to normal healthcare activity, with all services affected. The closure of the GMHS in 2020 related primarily to the necessary redeployment of increasing numbers of personnel to diverse COVID-19 related duties. Following the GMHS closure, significant efforts were made to maintain service provision.

In 2021, all health services continue to face restrictions, as the health system needs to prioritise treating those with COVID-19 and rolling out the vaccination programme. Notwithstanding these pressures, CHO6 are continuing to work to reopen the GMHS on a phased basis. The recruitment of permanent staff is progressing with administration staff in post and IT expansion under way.

Existing PrEP users are being seen in the GMHS. The Clinic Consultant and other doctors are providing virtual consultations, and PrEP service users attend GMHS for STI screening and blood testing. Those with diagnosed STIs or requiring Hepatitis and/or HPV vaccine continue to be treated in GMHS also.

In summary, a phased reintroduction of STI services is currently under way in GMHS. All services are being and will continue to be delivered in accordance with current Public Health COVID guidelines. Officials from the Department of Health and the HSE Sexual Health and Crisis Pregnancy Programme are in regular contact with CHO6 to monitor progress regarding the phased reopening of the GMHS.

It should also be noted that phone lines, the GMHS website and other resources such as www.man2man.ie and www.sexualwellbeing.ie are regularly updated to reflect current service delivery and to signpost users to the HSE list of approved STI and PrEP services.

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