Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 July 2020
286. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the wait times for colonoscopies for the first six months of 2018, 2019 and 2020, by hospital, hospital group and by wait times up to 28 days and 28 days or more in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17880/20]
View answerI am conscious that waiting times are often unacceptably long and of the burden that this places on patients and their families. 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.
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. The Framework will also consolidate new ways of working and build on international knowledge.
“A Safe Return to Health Services – Restoring health and social services in a Covid environment”, published by the HSE on 22 July 2020, gives an overview of services to be resumed, the target times for their safe return, and some detail on the conditions and challenges that will have to be met.
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.
As regards the specific details you have asked for, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly, as soon as possible.
