Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)
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20. To ask the Minister for Health the timeframe for the reopening of the pain clinic at Sligo University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38825/24]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I am advised that the reason for the temporary cessation of this service is that the two consultant doctors providing the chronic pain service in Sligo University Hospital have both moved to new roles.

The HSE advises that recruitment to fill these two vacant consultant anaesthetist posts in the pain service is actively ongoing. Advertisements are active in all appropriate websites and agencies for temporary posts, while the process for permanent filling of posts is undertaken. As a result, two Consultants have been recommended for temporary appointment and are currently going through pre-employment procedures. These vacant posts are expected to be filled on a temporary basis in early 2025, while permanent recruitment is ongoing.

A temporary consultant was put into post in early July 2024 to oversee the governance of the Pain Management and Education clinic, a psychologically based rehabilitative treatment for people with persistent pain.

In relation to existing patients on the day case list and outpatient review lists, the HSE advises that alternative arrangements are being made for these patients. Patients are being contacted directly by the hospital when arrangements are in place for their follow up treatments. I am advised that three pain relief insourcing initiatives have been approved for the region through the NTPF which will facilitate treatment for 580 patients on pain relief waiting lists.