Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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940. To ask the Minister for Health the plans to introduce and expand access to medical retinal procedures within the public health system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52123/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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The Community Ophthalmic Services Medical Treatment Scheme 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 Health Service Executive (HSE) advise that a detailed evaluation of the operation of the Community Ophthalmic Services Medical Treatment Scheme is needed before it is extended further.

In 2017, the HSE published a National Clinical Programme for Ophthalmology, which set out a model of care regarding how the realignment of eye services from an acute hospital setting to the community would be undertaken.

The HSE has been developing multidisciplinary Integrated Eye Care Teams in accordance with this model of care. These teams facilitate assessment, diagnoses, management and treatment and in some cases pre-op/post-op care enabling most patients to be seen in their own locality. Where necessary, patients can be referred onwards to acute Ophthalmology services to receive the necessary specialist input.

The Programme for Government: Securing Ireland’s Future contains a commitment to review the National Clinical Programme for Ophthalmology to ensure more eye services are provided in the community. Engagement with relevant stakeholders regarding this is ongoing.