Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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407. To ask the Minister for Health the extent to which the national trauma care plan is best placed to meet any and all emergencies as they arise regardless of geographical location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32810/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The National Trauma Strategy, A Trauma System for Ireland, published in February 2018, recommended the introduction of an inclusive trauma system, that will be delivered by two regional networks, each with a Major Trauma Centre that is linked to a number of Trauma Units. Services will be networked and co-ordinated along standardised pathways to ensure that the right care is delivered in the right place at the right time. The Strategy recommended the trauma system should include one Major Trauma Centre to be based in Dublin servicing the Central Trauma Network, and another to be based in Cork University Hospital servicing the South Trauma Network.

The Government, on 27 April 2021, designated the Mater Hospital as the Major Trauma Centre for the Central Trauma Network and St Vincent’s and Tallaght University Hospitals as the Trauma Units for Dublin.

Implementing the recommendations of the National Trauma Strategy is a key action of the Sláintecare Action Plan. It is expected that it will take between five to seven years to implement the Strategy in full.

As an inclusive trauma system, the Trauma System for Ireland will consider all aspects of a patient's journey and will ensure that all patients have access to the level of care they require irrespective of their location. This will include pre-hospital services so that high level and consistent care is available.

Trauma triage will mean that where appropriate patients suffering major trauma will be brought directly to a MTC if they are within 45 minutes of such a facility.

Where patients are outside this they will be brought to the nearest Trauma Unit for resuscitation and stabilisation. Trauma Units will be developed to ensure that a consistent level of care is provided across the country. If a patients care needs exceed the capabilities of the TU they will be transferred to a MTC. Transport services and protocols will be developed to ensure prompt and safe access to the MTC which by its nature will be able to meet any and all requirements of the trauma patient.

The trauma system will develop ongoing care and rehabilitation services-complex specialist, post-acute and community so that a rehabilitation needs assessment and prescription will be completed and a patient’s own rehabilitation needs can be tailored and met at the closest and most appropriate facility to their home.

In summary the trauma system will develop networks that will bring patients to the facility that can best meet their needs in a safe and consistent manner irrespective of their location.