Noel Grealish (Galway West, Independent)
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181. To ask the Minister for Health the number of children that have a diagnosis of juvenile arthritis; the number of children that have a diagnosis of other autoimmune diseases; the number of full-time paediatric consultants available to provide care for these children; the number of children waiting for a first appointment with a paediatric consultant rheumatologist; the average waiting time; his plans to recruit additional paediatric consultant rheumatologists; the status of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21069/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I sincerely regret that children can experience a long waiting time for hospital appointments and procedures, and I am conscious of the burden that this places on them and their families. This Government is committed to improving waiting times for all patients accessing hospital treatment across all specialties, including rheumatology.

It is recognised that waiting times for scheduled appointments and procedures have been impacted in the last year as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Elective hospital care was curtailed for the first quarter of 2021, in line with the rapid increase in Covid -19 hospital admissions, with only critical time dependent elective procedures undertaken.

On 23 March the HSE published the “Safe Return to Health Services Plan”. This plan outlines a three phased approach for the proposed restoration of services across Community Services, Acute Hospital Operations, Cancer Services and Screening Services. It sets target times for their safe return and details the conditions and challenges that will have to be met. Every phase of the plan has been informed by clinical guidance and putting patient and staff safety first. Decisions in relation to the type and volume of activity will be made at site level based on local COVID-19 numbers, available capacity and guidance from national clinical leads.

The schedule outlined in the plan for resumption of services will be regularly monitored by the HSE and updated as appropriate, dependant on public health advice and healthcare capacity.

Patient safety remains at the centre of all hospital activity and elective care scheduling. To ensure services are provided in a safe, clinically aligned and prioritised way, hospitals are following HSE clinical guidelines and protocols.

Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) has advised my Department that they sincerely regret that children and their families are experiencing long waiting times for their rheumatology appointments and they are making every effort to reduce these waiting times including the scheduling of additional outpatient clinics in CHI at Connolly this year.

CHI has further advised that the Rheumatology service in Crumlin has appointed a Consultant Rheumatologist position following a successful recruitment campaign. It is expected that the Consultant will be available to take up their post in 2022. CHI’s intention will be to work closely with the new appointee and the current rheumatology team to develop strategies to address the waiting times for patients on the waiting list.

In relation to the number of children awaiting a first Outpatient appointment with a Consultant Rheumatologist at Children's Health Ireland, the table attached shows the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) published figures by time-band for Rheumatology Outpatients at the end of March 2021. The waiting list figures relate to the specialty of Rheumatology and cannot be broken down by medical diagnosis, therefore the number of children with a diagnosis of juvenile arthritis or other autoimmune diseases who are on this waiting list cannot be provided.

Outpatient Waiting List for Rheumatology at Children's Health Ireland as at 26/03/2021