Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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490. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the reopening of SouthDoc Blackpool. [29265/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Following ongoing discussions between the HSE and the Board of SouthDoc, the Board of SouthDoc have advised the HSE of the following update in relation to the provision of services at the SouthDoc Blackpool treatment centre.

From September 6, 2021 Blackpool related calls will be processed through the Blackpool treatment centre where they will be clinically assessed by an onsite doctor. The type and nature of treatment will be decided in the normal way based on the clinical needs of each patient. Until this change comes into effect, the model of service delivery will remain as it currently stands with patients being seen on a scheduled appointment basis in Blackpool.

The HSE has welcomed this restoration of service and the provision of an onsite doctor. The Board of SouthDoc will continue to monitor the demand for the service and should there be an increase in the patients accessing the service they may review the model of service delivery to ensure the appropriate service is available.

Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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491. To ask the Minister for Health if formal steps have been taken by the HSE to penalise SouthDoc Blackpool for their continued breach of the service level agreement with SouthDoc. [29266/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.