Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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503. To ask the Minister for Health whether he is aware of reports that an email from the HSE Director of Community Services appeared to instruct officials involved in serious Covid-19 outbreaks in nursing homes to gather and archive all information and data, potentially preventing their release through FOI; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50650/23]

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

As the Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday, 6 October. As a consequence of this industrial action, members in these grades are not engaging with political forums or processes. As a result, the question asked by the Deputy may be delayed in receiving a response directly from the HSE.

Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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504. To ask the Minister for Health the actions that were taken following disclosures by staff and families regarding care in a nursing home (details supplied) in Q1 2021. [50651/23]

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I recognise how incredibly difficult it has been for the families of nursing home residents who died during the COVID-19 pandemic, which presented one of the greatest and most wide-ranging public health challenges internationally in recent history. I would like to once again extend my sympathies to all those who were bereaved as a result of COVID-19.

I understand that HIQA and the HSE were notified of a COVID-19 outbreak at the nursing home referred to in early January 2021. I am also advised that both HIQA and the HSE’s local COVID Response Team were in regular contact with the nursing home over the following weeks and the following information has been provided.

Once notified of the outbreak and in line with general practice, the HSE convened an Outbreak Management Team. In these instances, Public Health specialists and nurses would work with the COVID Response Team to support nursing homes through the provision of a range of supports including:

• Advice and support regarding the management of suspect cases and contact tracing
• Review of resident status at each outbreak control meeting
• Review of staff status at each outbreak control meeting
• Advice regarding the cohorting of residents
• Provision of and guidance regarding the use of PPE
• Advice regarding visiting, transfers, admissions, and discharges
• Provision of oxygen supplies to suspect or COVID positive residents.