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Hospital Services

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 January 2021

Wednesday, 27 January 2021

Questions (714)

Gino Kenny

Question:

714. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health his views and the data and on the way in which cancellations and reduced attendance at hospital affected health outcomes of patients generally and specifically in the case of persons over 65 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3798/21]

View answer

Written answers

I fully acknowledge the distress and inconvenience for patients and their families when elective procedures are cancelled, particularly for clinically urgent procedures. While every effort is made to avoid cancellation or postponement of planned procedures, the HSE has advised that planned procedures and operations can be postponed or cancelled for a variety of reasons including capacity issues due to increased scheduled and unscheduled care demand.

Patient safety remains at the centre of all hospital activity and elective care scheduling. To ensure services are provided in a safe, clinically-aligned and prioritised way, hospitals are following HSE clinical guidelines and protocols.

In relation to the particular query raised regarding the health outcomes of patients, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

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