Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein)
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683. To ask the Minister for Health if there are plans to put in place a working group on HSCP and physio recruitment and career progression similar to that which exists for nurses. [16109/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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HSCP Deliver, A HSCP Strategic Guidance Framework for Health and Social Care Professions 2021-2026 (National Health and Social Care Professionals Office, HSE 2021), launched by the HSE Chief Clinical Officer, Dr Colm Henry, includes commitments regarding progressing advanced practice for Health and Social Care Professionals.

The National HSCP Office working with senior management in the HSE and in liaison with my Department, is leading a project to progress advanced practice in the Health and Social Care Professions including but not limited to physiotherapists, which encompasses developing an overarching framework incorporating all the key considerations and factors including an agreed definition and approach across the professions, core competencies, a planned approach to meeting educational requirements, governance and regulatory considerations which can inform policy development in this area.

Progressing advanced practice for Health and Social Care Professions including physiotherapy aligns with and supports the delivery of Sláintecare, all staff working at top of licence, to help address staffing shortages in the health services and support retention of Health and Social Care Professions who might otherwise be lost due to lack of opportunities for career progression in clinical roles.

The HSE is supportive of progressing advanced practice for physiotherapy as part of a wider response to population health care needs that will include all relevant professions within the Health and Social Care Professions group to assist in addressing health care priorities such as waiting list reduction, admission avoidance, patient flow and egress from the acute hospital, and develop the advance practitioner role to address key health issues and assist in the delivery of healthcare reform.

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein)
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684. To ask the Minister for Health if there are plans to extend to the acute and hospital sector the current provision whereby HSCPs and physios in the primary setting can be upgraded to a senior role after five years. [16110/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy, as soon as possible.