John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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801. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide assurances that there is a plan and pathway in place for cancer patients who are immunocompromised to access rapid PCR tests and results; and if he will also provide a commitment that there is a supply of Covid-19 treatments available to patients who are not inpatients in acute settings. [6677/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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People experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 continue to be advised to self-isolate and to seek a test from the HSE. People with underlying conditions that put them at higher risk of severe disease are also advised to contact their GP. Detailed public health advice relating to COVID-19, including testing and tracing, is available on the HSE website at www2.hse.ie/conditions/covid19/symptoms/overview/.

Testing and contact has been a key component of the Government’s response to the pandemic. Under the guidance of the National Public Health Emergency Team, the HSE has developed a comprehensive and reliable testing and tracing system which has capacity to respond to significant demand.

The role of testing and contact tracing, as part of the wider public health response, has been under ongoing review throughout the pandemic and will continue to be reviewed and amended in line with the epidemiological profile of the disease, its impact on healthcare utilisation and outcomes, the vaccination status of the population and ECDC guidance. Consideration is also being given to the future role of testing and tracing particularly as the need evolves to move from extensive case finding and tracing of infection aimed at reducing transmission, to one primarily focused on mitigation of the severe impacts of COVID-19, particularly for those most vulnerable to the effects of the disease and for those with risk factors for severe disease who may benefit from specific interventions.

In relation to COVID-19 treatments, the HSE has established a Therapeutics Operational Group which has been working to develop the arrangements for provision of these treatments to the right patients, and work is ongoing to establish and develop the most efficient pathways to identify those patients who may benefit from their use. It is important to note that these treatments are not for widespread use, and the benefit will be limited to particular cohorts of high-risk vulnerable patients.

Most people can treat the symptoms of COVID-19 at home. However, people who have concerns relating to underlying conditions that put them at higher risk of severe disease are advised to discuss these matters with their treating physician.