Written answers

Thursday, 1 July 2021

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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485. To ask the Minister for Health the extent to which he has examined and approved the plans for the reopening of general hospital services, post-Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29232/21]

Photo of Stephen DonnellyStephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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On 23 March 2021 the HSE published the “Safe Return to Health Services ” Plan. This Plan provides an operational framework for the safe return to services at a local level. It includes an overview of the services to be resumed, the target for their safe return and some detail on the conditions and challenges that have to be met. It is important to emphasise that every phase has been informed by clinical guidance and putting patient safety first.

Following an analysis of need, capacity and patient safety, and taking into account scenario models, the Plan outlined a phased approach for the proposed restoration of services across Community Services, Acute Operations, Cancer Services and Screening Services.

The National Service Plan 2021 sets out the type and volume of services that the HSE will provide in 2021 in respect of the funding allocated including in the Acute Hospital area.

The HSE in submitting the NSP 2021 for my approval committed to keep the Plan under review to assess the impact of COVID 19 on the key transformation programmes and on the original targets and activity levels proposed for this year.

Progress had been made by the HSE with the review, however due to the recent Cyber-attack, the HSE has been requested to extend the review to include both the impact of COVID 19 and the Cyber-attack on the original NSP targets and to produce revised end of year positions which will ensure an effective performance management process for the remainder of 2021. It is expected that this will be completed in mid-July.

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

My Department, the HSE and the NTPF are putting in place plans to improve access to elective care and reduce waiting times for patients. These plans include increased use of private hospitals, funding weekend and evening work in public hospitals, funding “see and treat” services where minor procedures are provided at the same time as outpatient consultations, providing virtual clinics and increasing capacity in the public hospital system.

My Department , the HSE and the NTPF are also currently in the process of finalising a Multiannual Waiting List plan to address waiting lists and bring them in line with Sláintecare targets over the coming years.

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