Written Answers Nos. 166-185
166. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the way in which he will implement the recommendations of Sharing the Vision over the next five years including costings, key objectives and outcomes in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16339/20]
View answerThe new national mental health policy, Sharing the Vision – A National Mental Health Policy for Everyone proposes that a National Implementation and Monitoring Committee (NIMC) be established to oversee implementation of the policy. The Committee will be mandated to drive reconfiguration, monitor progress against outcomes and deliver on the commitments made in this policy. It is expected that the NIMC will work with partners to evaluate performance against key performance indicators, and check overall progress guided by research and learning from best practice, so that the system will be in a position to respond effectively to support the mental health needs of the whole population.
It is envisaged that the NIMC will be fully representative of those stakeholders principally involved in ensuring effective delivery of the policy recommendations, including strong service user, service provider and voluntary sector representation. All input received during the consultation on the policy, and any other stakeholder views, will be taken into account in establishing the NIMC.
Planning for the establishment of the NIMC and associated implementation structures is underway and will be subject to ministerial approval in due course.
Additionally, the revised policy contains an implementation roadmap that organises recommendations into short (0-6 months); medium (6-18 months) and long term (beyond 18 months). The Roadmap will assist the NIMC develop a detailed implementation plan to ensure that the delivery of all recommendations is planned and managed effectively.
Finally, the short-term recommendations in the revised policy will be assessed as part of the annual estimates process, where the need for additional funding will be considered.
167. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if an appointment will be expedited for a person (details supplied). [16341/20]
View answerIn response to the Covid-19 pandemic the HSE had to take measures to pause most elective scheduled care activity with effect from the end March 2020. This was to ensure patient safety and that all appropriate resources were made available for Covid-19 related activity and time-critical essential work. This decision was in line with the advice issued by National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) and in accordance with World Health Organisation guidelines, and the National Action Plan.
To ensure services are re-introduced in a safe, clinically-aligned and prioritised way, the HSE launched its Strategic Framework for ‘Service Continuity in a Covid Environment’ on 24th June 2020. Its implementation will ensure service resumption is done in an integrated way. This will involve a phased approach to ensure community services are strengthened. The Framework will also consolidate new ways of working and build on international knowledge. The HSE is currently developing a Service Continuity Roadmap for the resumption of services across the health system. My Department, the HSE and the National Treatment Purchase Fund are currently working together to evaluate the impact of Covid 19 on Scheduled Care waiting lists, in order to be prepared to address pent up demand.
Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
The National Waiting List Management Policy is a standardised approach used by the HSE to manage scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures. It sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists and was developed in 2014 to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to investigate the matter and provide you with a direct response.
168. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if patients with ATTR amyloidosis can access the new treatment for the disease at a hospital (details supplied) under the cross-Border initiative or treatment abroad scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16365/20]
View answerThe Treatment Abroad Scheme (TAS) allows public patients to be referred to another EU/EEA country for treatment, in their public healthcare system, that is not available in Ireland, subject to qualifying criteria. A patient's Irish based consultant is responsible for referring the patient abroad under the terms of the TAS, after having exhausted all treatment options including tertiary care within Ireland. The treatment must be among the benefits provided for by Irish legislation. Also, the treatment must be a proven form of medical treatment and not experimental or trial treatment. The HSE provides information for patients on the TAS on its website.
In general, the HSE does not provide access to drug therapies which are not provided by the public healthcare system in Ireland under the TAS. However, I am advised by the HSE that in the case of treatments provided by the National Amyloidosis Centre at the Royal Free Hospital in London a patient can make an application to the HSE's TAS. Each application is dealt with by the HSE on an individual basis and subject to independent medical advice.
169. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an application for home help by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16368/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
170. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that disability service providers have not received extra funding to cover the costs of deep cleaning, sanitising and other associated Covid-19 hygiene protocols as they begin to resume their services for persons with disabilities; if extra funding will be provided in the interest of public health to organisations providing these services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16371/20]
View answerThe HSE is currently engaged in detailed operational planning across the primary and community sector that will underpin the phased resumption of community services over the period ahead. This work will align with the recently published document “Service Continuity in a COVID Environment – A Strategic Framework for Delivery” which is available on the HSE’s website at:
https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/news/newsfeatures/covid19-updates/service-continuity-in-a-covid-environment-a-strategic-framework-for-delivery.pdf
I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
171. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of equipment for a child (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16374/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
172. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health when the income threshold level for medical card eligibility is to be raised; the details of the new levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16380/20]
View answerThe Health (General Practitioner Service and Alteration of Criteria for Eligibility) Bill 2020 was published on 1 July. This Bill provides, amongst other things, for the necessary legislative amendments to increase the weekly gross medical card income limits for those aged 70 and over to €550 per week for a single person (currently €500 per week) and to €1,050 for a couple (currently €900 per week). The Bill is expected to proceed through the Houses of the Oireachtas in the coming weeks.
173. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health when a facility (details supplied) will reopen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16381/20]
View answerAs part of the overall effort to contain the spread of COVID-19 and in line with public health advice, day service locations closed in March.
Since then, HSE Disability Services have been working to develop national guidance on the part of the disability sector to direct how all day services can be delivered. The Guidance to support the Framework for the Resumption of Adult Disability Day Services was published by the HSE on 9 July 2020.
In developing the guidance document to guide providers, the HSE worked closely with service providers through representative organisations such as the National Federation of Voluntary Service Providers, Disability Federation of Ireland and the Not for Profit Association, in addition to Inclusion Ireland, who represent people with intellectual disabilities and their families.
The guidance document seeks to support the safe return of services in the context of ongoing public health guidance. It also recognises that the impact of public health guidance will result in services being provided at a reduced level and will require changes in how people are supported, increased use of technology where appropriate and more use of outreach supports.
Day services will gradually resume during the month of August. Service providers are already working to get day services ready to reopen safely, and in line with public health guidance. Service providers will be in touch with all families and service users during the month of July to discuss when they may expect the resumption of their service and what that service will consist of.
I want to acknowledge the many challenges experienced by individuals and their families over this difficult time. Families across the country have had their routines upended due to the impact of COVID-19 and I hope that this will be the first step towards returning to some sense of normalcy.
The Guidance to support the Framework for Resumption of Adult Disability Day Services is available on the New Directions website: www.hse.ie/newdirections. The HSE have also issued monthly communications updates for service users and their families, the latest leaflet “Adult Disability Day Services and COVID-19 - What’s Happening? July 2020” is available at the above link.
With regard to specific service locations, service providers can provide this information directly. As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
174. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a recently published review (details supplied); his views on the recommendations of the report; his plans to conduct a similar independent inquiry into the reported ill effects of the use of uro-gynaecological mesh in the surgical treatment of women based here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16383/20]
View answerI note the recent publication in England of the report of the Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety (IMMDS) review, “First Do No Harm” which was chaired by Baroness Cumberlege.
International evidence and learning play an important role in health policy considerations to promote safe, high quality care for patients. This report may add to that evidence and learning.
Over the past two decades, Uro-Gynaecological (Transvaginal) Mesh has been widely used in the surgical treatment of Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI) and Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP) in women. Mesh devices are certified as compliant with relevant EU legislation, and as such, European regulatory competent authorities consider that the benefits outweigh the risks for these devices.
In Ireland, considerable work has been done to date and continues to progress on patient safety in relation to mesh implants; and the patient voice is central to our understanding of these, and similar, issues. As part of the ongoing policy response, my department officials are examining options to establish a process for an independent, compassionate engagement for women affected by mesh to have their voices heard; and will make proposals to me in this regard. Any engagement process will need to take account of the wider context relating to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Concerns were raised in Ireland regarding complications associated with the use of mesh devices in late 2017, including a number of Ministerial representations from the women affected or on their behalf. At that time, the Minister for Health requested the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) to prepare a report on the clinical and technical issues involved in ensuring both:
1. the safe and effective provision of mesh procedures in urogynaecology and
2. an appropriate response to women who suffer complications as a result of undergoing such procedures.
This CMO Report was published in November 2018.
Importantly, the CMO report was informed by the available national and international evidence and the personal experiences of women who have suffered complications following mesh surgery.
Since July 2018, the HSE has paused all mesh procedures where clinically safe to do so. This was at the request of the CMO and undertaken in advance of completion of the final CMO report. The pause was instigated pending confirmation by the HSE of the implementation of initial recommendations relating to (i) professional training requirements, (ii) patient information and consent and (iii) the development and maintenance of a national data set for all mesh procedures carried out in HSE funded hospitals.
The CMO report identifies that for many women, surgical procedures using synthetic mesh devices have provided a more effective and less invasive form of treatment than traditional procedures. However, mesh devices are associated with significant and severe complications in a minority of women, which are of concern given the difficulties of mesh implant removal.
The CMO report made a number of recommendations, the implementation of which will provide significant assurance that both women presenting for treatment and who develop mesh-related complications, receive high quality, multi-disciplinary patient centred care in accordance with the evidence and supported by robust clinical governance mechanisms.
The HSE published a detailed Implementation Plan for the recommendations in the report in April 2019. The HSE’s National Women & Infants Health Programme (NWIHP) is progressing treatment pathways and referral services for women suffering from mesh-related complications.
A multidisciplinary National Specialist Centre is being developed over 2 sites at Cork University Maternity Hospital (CUMH) and the National Maternity Hospital (NMH) Dublin. In addition, two translabial scanners, were procured by the HSE in late 2019, and are now onsite in both hospitals. However, the first scanning clinic, which was due to take place last March had to be postponed, due to the pandemic.
The HSE has published a dedicated webpage about vaginal mesh implants, including contact information for women suffering complications, which I hope is a useful resource. This can be found on the HSE website.
I would strongly encourage all women affected by mesh to engage with the relevant HSE contact points provided, to ensure that their service needs can be identified and provided for.
175. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health the further length of time a person (details supplied) can be expected to wait for an appointment in University Hospital Limerick. [16386/20]
View answerIn response to the Covid-19 pandemic the HSE had to take measures to pause most elective scheduled care activity with effect from the end March 2020. This was to ensure patient safety and that all appropriate resources were made available for Covid-19 related activity and time-critical essential work. This decision was in line with the advice issued by National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) and in accordance with World Health Organisation guidelines, and the National Action Plan.
To ensure services are re-introduced in a safe, clinically-aligned and prioritised way, the HSE launched its Strategic Framework for ‘Service Continuity in a Covid Environment’ on 24th June 2020. Its implementation will ensure service resumption is done in an integrated way. This will involve a phased approach to ensure community services are strengthened. The Framework will also consolidate new ways of working and build on international knowledge. The HSE is currently developing a Service Continuity Roadmap for the resumption of services across the health system. My Department, the HSE and the National Treatment Purchase Fund are currently working together to evaluate the impact of Covid 19 on Scheduled Care waiting lists, in order to be prepared to address pent up demand.
Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
The National Waiting List Management Policy is a standardised approach used by the HSE to manage scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures. It sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists and was developed in 2014 to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to investigate the matter and provide you with a direct response.
176. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in getting access to Spinraza treatment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16387/20]
View answerAs this refers to an individual case, I have referred this matter to the HSE for their attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
177. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Health if there is a plan to allow people with a diagnosis of ATTR amyloidosis to access a known treatment for this blood disease (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16394/20]
View answerThe HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drugs schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. The Act specifies the criteria for decisions on the reimbursement of medicines.
In line with the 2013 Act and the national framework agreed with industry, a company must submit an application to the HSE to have a new medicine added to the reimbursement list.
Reimbursement is for licensed indications which have been granted market authorisation by the European Medicines Agency or the Health Products Regulatory Authority.
HSE decisions on which medicines are reimbursed by the taxpayer are made on objective, scientific and economic grounds, on the advice of the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE).
The NCPE conducts health technology assessments (HTAs) for the HSE and makes recommendations on reimbursement to assist HSE decisions. The NCPE uses a decision framework to systematically assess whether a drug is cost-effective as a health intervention.
I am advised by the HSE that it has received an application for the reimbursement of patisiran (Onpattro®) for the treatment of hereditary transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis (hATTR amyloidosis) in adult patients with stage 1 or stage 2 polyneuropathy.
In January 2019, a full health technology assessment was commissioned by the HSE. This assessment was completed in February 2020 with the NCPE recommending that patisiran (Onpattro®) is not considered for reimbursement unless cost-effectiveness can be improved relative to existing treatments.
The HTA report will be an important input into the decision making processes of the HSE. The HSE is currently reviewing the report received and has recently met with the applicant company to discuss this.
Once negotiations between the HSE and the applicant company are complete, this application must then be formally considered by the HSE Drugs Group. The HSE Drugs Group is the national committee which the HSE has in place to make recommendations on the pricing and reimbursement of medicines. The decision making authority in the HSE is the HSE Executive Management Team.
178. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health when haemochromatosis venesection clinics will recommence in Saolta group hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16406/20]
View answerSaolta University Health Care Group have confirmed that venesection clinics have recommenced in University Hospital Galway, Portiuncula University Hospital, Mayo University Hospital, Sligo University Hospital and Letterkenny University Hospital. Due to social distancing requirements, the service is at reduced capacity at some sites. Venesections continued at Roscommon University Hospital throughout.
179. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Health if the disparity in pay for staff at a facility (details supplied) will be addressed. [16409/20]
View answerThe Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives.
As the Deputy will be aware, specialist disability services are provided by a range of organisations. In some cases the HSE itself delivers these services directly and in other circumstances, the HSE relies upon funded providers to deliver these services on its behalf. Organisations such as St Christopher’s Services in Longford provide services for people with a disability on a contract for services basis with the HSE, underpinned by Section 39 of the Health Act 2004. Service Level Agreements are set out between the HSE and the individual organisations.
I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
180. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Health if he and the HSE will engage with the management at a facility (details supplied) to provide the necessary funding to ensure a day care service can resume. [16410/20]
View answerThe Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives.
As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
181. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the additional cost associated with the halting of the national children’s hospital project for the duration of the Covid-19 crisis to date [16416/20]
View answerThe NPHDB has statutory responsibility for planning, designing, building and equipping the new children's hospital and I have referred your question to the NPHDB for direct reply.
182. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Health if the criteria will be extended for access to a medical card to include patients that receive a metastatic cancer diagnosis (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16436/20]
View answerEligibility for a medical card is assessed primarily on the basis of a financial assessment. The HSE's Expert Group on Medical Need and Medical Card Eligibility examined the issue of awarding medical cards on the basis of illness and concluded that it was not feasible, desirable, nor ethically justifiable to list medical conditions in priority order for medical card eligibility. The Expert Group also concluded that a person’s means should remain the main qualifier for a medical card.
However every effort is made by the HSE, within the framework of the legislation, to support applicants in applying for a medical card and, in particular, to take full account of the difficult circumstances in the case of applicants who may be in excess of the income guidelines. The HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card, even though an applicant exceeds his or her income threshold, where he or she faces difficult financial circumstances, such as extra costs arising from an illness.
It should also be noted that with regard to persons suffering from cancer and other serious medical conditions the HSE has a system in place for the provision of medical cards in response to emergency situations i.e. in circumstances where persons are in need of urgent or on-going medical care that they cannot afford and also for persons who are terminally ill and are receiving end of life treatment. These medical cards are issued within 24 hours of receipt of the required medical report and a completed application form from a healthcare professional. With the exception of terminally ill patients, all medical cards, granted on an emergency basis are valid for 6 months and will be followed up with a full means assessment application within a number of weeks.
As part of Budget 2020, Government committed to undertake a review and extend arrangements regarding the provision of emergency medical cards in cases of terminal illness. A review was subsequently commenced by the HSE Clinical Advisory Group (CAG) in December 2019. The work of the HSE Clinical Advisory Group has recently concluded and a Report is being finalised.
183. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health his plans for the elimination of HPV-related cancers within a generation here; the strategies that need to be implemented in the coming 12 months, acknowledging that the introduction of a catch-up programme for boys in sixth year for the HPV vaccine will accelerate this public health goal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16437/20]
View answerCancer screening is one very important aspect of cancer prevention, and another is HPV vaccination.
The immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The committee's recommendations are based on the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and international best practice in relation to immunisation. It makes recommendations on vaccination policy to my Department. NIAC continues to revise recommendations to allow for the introduction of new vaccines in Ireland and to keep abreast of changes in the patterns of disease. Therefore, the immunisation schedule will continue to be amended over time.
In 2009 the NIAC recommended HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccination for all 12 to 13 year old girls to reduce their risk of developing cervical cancer when they are adults. In September 2010, the HPV vaccination programme was introduced for all girls in first year of secondary school.
The NIAC recommended that the HPV vaccine should also be given to boys. On foot of NIAC’s recommendation, my Department asked the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) to undertake a health technology assessment (HTA) to establish the clinical and cost-effectiveness of extending the current immunisation programme to include boys in the first year of secondary school.
HIQA completed the HTA in December 2018, recommending that the HPV immunisation programme be extended to include boys. A policy decision was made to extend the HPV immunisation programme to include boys starting in September 2019 with the introduction of a 9-valent HPV vaccine. However, the HIQA report published in December 2018 did not recommend an HPV catch-up programme for older boys for several reasons:
- Vaccinating boys in the first year of secondary school provides the best possible protection against HPV infection;
- Boys are already benefitting from the indirect herd protection provided by the girls' HPV vaccination programme which started in 2010.
The ages at which vaccines are recommended in the immunisation schedule are chosen by NIAC in order to give each child the best possible protection against vaccine preventable diseases. As the HPV vaccine is preventative it is intended to be administered, if possible, before a person becomes sexually active, that is, before a person is first exposed to HPV infection. Therefore, the gender-neutral HPV vaccination programme targets all girls and boys in first year of secondary school to provide maximum coverage. All vaccines administered through the School Immunisation Programme are provided free of charge. My Department will continue to be guided by NIAC's recommendations on any emerging evidence on this issue in the future.
In relation to cancer screening CervicalCheck made the technical transition to HPV cervical screening on 30 March. This means that any test taken after this date is an HPV cervical screening test with follow-up cytology if required.
The move to HPV Cervical Screening means that Ireland joins a small group of nations that employs the best-in-class testing to screen their populations for cervical cancer. Other countries include Australia, England, the Netherlands and Wales.
This improved testing methodology, along with the continued roll-out of HPV vaccinations, means that Ireland can look forward to a significant reduction in the incidence of cervical cancer cases over the next 10-20 years.
The Government’s goal is to bring about the eradication of HPV-related cancers in Ireland. A well organised screening programme, when combined with HPV vaccination for boys and girls, will help assist us in achieving that goal. The Programme for Government commits to supporting the CervicalCheck Screening Programme and promoting the uptake of the HPV vaccine.
184. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health the number on the orthodontic waiting lists in Dublin across each category of need; the number of patients treated from each category in the most recent year for which data is available; and the position regarding the scope of speeding up access to care. [16438/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
185. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the number of cataract operations that were carried out at St. Luke's hospital, Kilkenny, in 2019 and to date in 2020. [16440/20]
View answerReducing waiting time for patients for hospital operations and procedures is a key priority for Government. In recent years, my Department has worked with the HSE and the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) and made considerable improvements to access for patients waiting for high volume procedures and life limiting procedures including cataracts. At the end of July 2017, the number of people waiting for a cataract procedure was 10,024. As of the end of June 2020, there were 6,023 patients waiting for a cataract procedure. Of these, 1,039 are waiting over 9 months which represents a reduction of 76% when compared to July 2017.
A key development in improving access to Ophthalmology services was the opening of a stand-alone high-volume consultant-led cataract theatre by the University of Limerick Hospital Group in Nenagh Hospital in 2018, with the intention that it would facilitate patients from surrounding geographical areas to avail of their treatment there.
In response to the Covid-19 pandemic the HSE had to take measures to pause most elective scheduled care activity with effect from the end March 2020. This was to ensure patient safety and that all appropriate resources were made available for Covid-19 related activity and time-critical essential work. This decision was in line with the advice issued by National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) and in accordance with World Health Organisation guidelines, and the National Action Plan.
NPHET has since revised its recommendation on the pausing of all non-urgent health services, with a recommendation that the delivery of acute care be determined by appropriate clinical and operational decision making. Application of the essential risk mitigating steps set out in the guidance developed under the auspices of the NPHET Expert Advisory group will have operational implications, which will impact on throughput.
To ensure services are re-introduced in a safe, clinically-aligned and prioritised way, the HSE launched its Strategic Framework for ‘Service Continuity in a Covid Environment’ on 24 June. Its implementation will ensure service resumption is done in an integrated way. This will involve a phased approach to ensure community services are strengthened. The Framework will also consolidate new ways of working and build on international knowledge. The HSE is currently developing a Service Continuity Roadmap for the resumption of services across the health system.
Where possible, hospitals are working to find innovative ways to enable service provision, which include virtual clinics for some outpatient department appointments. The HSE website provides details on services currently available and operational in each hospital on its website. This information is reviewed frequently and provides up-to-date announcements on services available at each site (https://www2.hse.ie/services/hospital-service-disruptions/hospital-service-disruptions-covid19.html).
As the system continues to deliver Covid-19 and non-Covid 19 care side-by-side over a more prolonged period, my Department and the HSE will continue to work closely together to protect essential non-Covid 19 acute care and progress the provision of more routine non Covid-19 care.
In relation to the particular query raised concerning the number of cataract operations that were carried out at St. Luke's Hospital, Kilkenny in 2019 and to date in 2020, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to investigate the matter and provide you with a direct response.
