Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
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204. To ask the Minister for Health if, given that amounts of €4.3 million and €11.3 million were reimbursed under the Cross Border Directive and the Northern Ireland Planned Healthcare Scheme, respectively in 2022, similar funding will be found for the establishment of a cataract clinic in the CHO4 area, to avoid patients travelling to the North for surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33028/23]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Modernised Care Pathways (MCPs) seek to transition acute scheduled care closer to patients’ homes through community and primary care services. Three ophthalmology MCPs have been prioritised for implemtation in 2023, including the MCP for cataract treatment. These will be delivered by Integrated Eye Care teams.

Community-based Integrated Eye Care teams are multidisciplinary and make the fullest use of their staff’s training. The teams include ophthalmologists, optometrists, orthoptists, nurses, technicians, and administrators. This enables teams to provide assessment, prioritisation, diagnosis, pre-op/post-op care, and referral to acute services if required.

CHO 4 has been allocated funding to develop an Integrated Eye Care service in 2023. Recruitment has commenced and the initial operationalisation and transfer of existing teams is due in July. The service will be based at the new Ballincollig Primary Community Care Centre, enabling patients to access assessment and treatment in the community rather than an acute setting.

As this is also a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.