Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 March 2021
802. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Health if medical consultations in the public system have become virtual consultations; and if it is planned to continue this practice beyond the pandemic. [12741/21]
View answerIt is recognised that waiting times for scheduled appointments and procedures have been impacted in the last year as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The HSE is currently recommending that only critical time dependent elective procedures are undertaken at this time due to the on-going and significant increased demand for bed capacity related to Covid-19. This decision was made arising from the rapid increase in Covid-19 admissions and to ensure patient safety and that all appropriate resources were made available for Covid-19 related activity and time-critical essential work.
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.
The HSE continues to identify ways to improve access to care, for example through modified pathways to care in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic, the use of telemedicine, private hospitals, community facilities and atypical outpatient settings.
The work of the HSE to improve access to elective care and reduce waiting times for patients is supported by the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF), who in 2020 reviewed strategies to maximise activity and benefit for patients. This included increased use of private hospitals, funding weekend and evening work in public hospitals, funding “see and treat” services where minor procedures are provided at the same time as outpatient consultations, funding hybrid services where public and private hospitals contribute to the treatment of patients, virtual clinics and clinical validation.
Innovative use of technology benefited Outpatient appointments in 2020 and between March and December 2020, more than 650,000 patients attended a virtual outpatient appointment.
In relation to the specific query raised regarding current levels of virtual consultation in the public system and plans to continue this practice beyond the pandemic, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
