Primary Care Services Provision

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 January 2015

Wednesday, 21 January 2015

Questions (189)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

189. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health to set out the arrangements made to provide nursing services on Inishturk island in County Mayo; the number of days that a nurse or doctor provided a service on the island since 1 December 2015; his views on the level of service being provided by the Health Service Executive to island communities; if he has issued any policy instruction in respect of these services to the HSE; whether health services to islands formed a specific and separate part of the service plan presented to his Department by the HSE for 2015 and agreed by him and the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3051/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I have not issued a specific policy instruction in relation to nursing and GP services on the Islands and health services to Islands did not form a specific and separate part of the HSE's 2015 National Service Plan. However, the HSE Primary Care Division's 2015 Operational Plan commits the HSE to review Primary Care Island services.

The HSE has responsibility for the provision of health services to the Islands. Therefore, these matters have been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.