Mairead Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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1290. To ask the Minister for Health if there are clear guidelines for treating the symptoms of Paediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome, PANS, and Paediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections, PANDAS, in paediatric hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11906/24]

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

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Community Ophthalmic Services Medical Treatment Scheme (COSMTS) was established in 2004 as a pilot project in response to an identified need. The Scheme engages four practices across seven locations to provide medical and minor surgical care to patients outside of the acute care setting. This allows hospitals and eye clinics to focus on treating more complex conditions. The treatments and the current fees payable under the Scheme were agreed in 2013.

The Health Service Executive (HSE) have advised that a detailed evaluation of the current operation of the COSMTS needs to be carried out before it is extended further. This review remains a priority for my Department in 2024, and I have asked the HSE to pursue it in tandem with the pursuit of other priorities in the provision of appropriate eye care.