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Wednesday, 10 Mar 2021

Written Answers Nos. 757-781

Hospital Procedures

Questions (757)

Neasa Hourigan

Question:

757. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health his plans to resume reconstructive surgery services for those receiving cancer treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12554/21]

View answer

Written answers

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Nursing Education

Questions (758)

Neasa Hourigan

Question:

758. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health his plans to introduce a return of the service arrangement payment for those studying nursing to allow for a waiving of student fees in return for working in the HSE for a set period of time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12556/21]

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Written answers

I thank the Deputy for clarifying that she refers to the sponsorship scheme available for support staff in the Irish public health service wishing to obtain a qualification in nursing or midwifery. To be eligible, applicants must be directly involved in delivering care to patients or clients in a nursing context. For example, healthcare assistants and multi-task attendants are eligible for the sponsorship scheme. The number of sponsorships available each year is determined by the Office of the Nursing and Midwifery Services Director in the HSE. This scheme commenced in 2002 and 30 sponsorships have been awarded each year since 2017.

While in the scheme, the students retain their substantive posts. The students' basic salary is paid for the duration of their nursing or midwifery degree programme and they are expected to return to their post outside of the academic semesters for the duration of the programme.

After completing the degree programme, graduates must register as a nurse or midwife with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI). They are also asked to sign a service agreement and commit to work as a registered nurse or midwife in the Irish health services for a period of 5 years after registration.

Further information on the requirements and application process of the sponsorship scheme can be found on https://healthservice.hse.ie/about-us/onmsd/cpd-for-nurses-and-midwives/onmsd-sponsorship-schemes/public-health-service-employees.html.

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (759)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

759. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will be allocated a date for orthopaedic services. [12568/21]

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Written answers

It 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.

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 Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Ambulance Service

Questions (760)

Paul McAuliffe

Question:

760. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health the status of the planned new ambulance station in Ardee, County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12569/21]

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Written answers

As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.

Question No. 761 answered with Question No. 756.

Home Help Service

Questions (762)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

762. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if additional home support services specifically for Sundays will be provided to a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [12572/21]

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Written answers

As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Disability Services Provision

Questions (763)

Paul Donnelly

Question:

763. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health if consideration has been given to providing the Hocoma Lokomat treatment for disabled persons and long-term wheelchair users on social welfare who hold a medical card. [12573/21]

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Written answers

The 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 this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (764)

David Cullinane

Question:

764. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the situation faced by Irish citizens who contracted Covid-19 abroad and have recovered from the virus yet are stranded abroad and unable to return here as they cannot produce a not detected PCR test result due to non-infectious viral remnant; if he has considered the way they may return here after having received confirmation from relevant medical officers that they are no longer infectious which may include a period of mandatory quarantine at their own expense in a designated facility upon return; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12589/21]

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Written answers

The Government has introduced more stringent measures applying to international travel in order to mitigate against the risk of new variants being imported through travel and to protect the progress we are making in suppressing transmission domestically.

The Department of Health is aware of residual positive tests in some recovered COVID patients and is examining the issue with public health officials. The issue is common to many countries with travel testing requirements and is also being discussed at EU level.

Under the current mandatory testing regime in Ireland, exemptions from the pre-departure test requirement are in place for international transport workers, passengers travelling with an urgent medical need and for travellers with genuine humanitarian emergencies unable to obtain a pre-departure RT-PCR test before travel.

Covid-19 Tests

Questions (765)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

765. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to reports of a lack of proper social distancing outside of busy Covid-19 testing centres; the steps his Department is taking to ensure that social distancing is adhered to outside of testing centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12605/21]

View answer

Written answers

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Vaccination Programme

Questions (766)

Pádraig O'Sullivan

Question:

766. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health when school transport escorts will receive the Covid-19 vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12608/21]

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Written answers

The COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation Strategy sets out a provisional list of groups for vaccination. The Strategy was developed by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) and my Department, endorsed by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), and approved by Government on 8 December 2020.

Vaccine allocation is a matter for my Department and further information is available here: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/39038-provisional-vaccine-allocation-groups/.

The roll-out of the COVID-19 vaccination programme is the responsibility of the HSE.

The aim of the COVID-19 vaccination programme is to ensure, over time, that vaccine will become available to vaccinate all of those for whom the vaccine is indicated. Given that there will be initially limited vaccines available, it will take some time for all to receive those vaccines and that has necessitated an allocation strategy to ensure that those most at risk of death and serious illness receive the vaccine first.

The priority is to first vaccinate and protect directly the most vulnerable amongst us, that is, those most likely to have a poor outcome if they contract the virus. The priority is to directly use vaccines to save lives and reduce serious illness, hence the focus on the over 65 year old cohort in long term residential care facilities, and healthcare workers in front-line services often caring for the most vulnerable.

Vaccination of those aged 70 and older (in the following order: 85 and older, 80-84, 75-79, and 70-74) began in February.

On the 23rd of February, I announced an update to Ireland’s COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation Strategy.

In comprising the initial Vaccine Allocation Strategy, the NIAC listed several conditions associated with increased risk of severe disease and death. In the intervening period, national and international evidence has become available which has enabled a more detailed analysis of underlying conditions that may increase the risk of developing severe disease or death.

The NIAC has now been able to more comprehensively identify those medical conditions and to distinguish between those which place a person at very high or high risk of severe disease if they contract the virus. Medical conditions and the magnitude of the risk they pose will continue to be monitored and periodically reviewed.

The NIAC continues to monitor data around this disease and indeed emerging data on effectiveness of vaccines on a rolling basis.

Further details are available at the following link:

https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/b44b2-minister-donnelly-announces-update-to-vaccine-allocation-strategy/

The ongoing review process will continue to look at the other priority groups yet to be vaccinated, along with the competing needs of those working or living in high-risk situations, carers who deliver essential services to highly dependent individuals in the home setting, and those who are socially vulnerable/disadvantaged.

Maternity Services

Questions (767)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

767. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 716 of 3 February 2021, the basis on which lactation consultant posts are allocated to community healthcare organisations; the steps his Department is taking to ensure a basic level of this service in each CHO; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12621/21]

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Written answers

As this is a service issue the matter has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (768)

Matt Carthy

Question:

768. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health when indoor visits will be permitted in nursing homes which have been covered in the vaccination programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12623/21]

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Written answers

The impact of COVID-19 on society in general and especially those living in nursing homes has been considerable and this remains a very difficult time for nursing home residents and their families. The importance of continued social interaction of residents and their families cannot be overstated and every effort should be made, in line with public health advice, to ensure that these interactions continue, including through window visits.

Notwithstanding this, it is also important to be cognisant of the wider epidemiological situation and the risks associated with same. On the 19th November, the European Centre for Disease Control published its latest risk assessment with regard to long-term care facilities. It highlights that the probability of COVID-19 introduction into a long-term care facility depends on the level of COVID-19 circulation in the community, with a higher risk associated with higher incidence rates in the community.

Data indicates that 104 nursing homes are actively dealing with a COVID-19 outbreak. Noting that on 6th March approximately 525 confirmed cases of COVID-19 had been reported, the level of risk, including to residents of nursing homes remains high. The public health advice remains clear, as noted in the statement from the National Public Health Emergency Team on 24th February “Given the increased transmissibility of the virus now, we must continue to limit our social contacts and do all we can to starve this disease of opportunities to spread”.

Nursing home providers are ultimately responsible for the safe care of their residents. Under Regulation 11 of the Health Act 2007 (Care and Welfare of Residents in Designated Centres for Older People) Regulations 2013 it is the legal responsibility of each registered provider to make arrangements for a resident to receive visitors, having regard to any risks that may present for the resident or other residents. Public health guidance has been developed in order to assist and support providers in this regard.

I recently wrote to all nursing home providers, through HIQA’s communication portal, to emphasise the importance of adopting a holistic and person-centred approach, noting the important role that visiting, social connections and communication with family and friends has in the context of residents’ overall health and wellbeing. The importance of ensuring that visits take place to the greatest extent possible, in line with public health guidance and risk assessments was reiterated and providers were encouraged to frequently communicate with residents and families on the matter of visiting and to respond to phone to calls by family members, in so far as is practicable, given the constraints on staff.

The Government’s revised plan, COVID-19 Resilience and Recovery 2021 - The Path Ahead, published on 23rd February, recognises that the challenge of balancing protective health measures and normal living has been particularly important in the context of visitations to long-term residential care settings (LTRC). LTRC visiting guidance has remained under ongoing review throughout the pandemic. In light of the advanced stage of rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine in LTRCs for both residents and staff, the NPHET (the National Public Health Emergency Team) has requested that the HSE progress a process for considering the scope and application of LTRC visiting restrictions in the context of the Framework of Restrictive Measures, having regard to international and national evidence, the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine and the level of disease in the community. The HSE are finalising this process.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (769, 954)

Matt Carthy

Question:

769. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the basis on which decisions relating to the number of guests at weddings will be revisited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12624/21]

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Christopher O'Sullivan

Question:

954. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the expected number of persons allowed to attend a wedding in June, July and August 2021 taking into account the increase in vaccines and the expected continued decrease of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13430/21]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 769 and 954 together.

The public health measures in place at any level of the Government's updated plan for managing Covid-19 - COVID-19 Resilience & Recovery 2021: The Path Ahead recognise the need to reduce congregation and interactions between people to reduce the transmission of Covid-19. The number of people allowed to gather in different scenarios in the plan is based on a review of international practice and the judgment of public health experts. It seeks to balance the risks of different types of gatherings against the desire to allow normal activities to proceed in so far as possible. The measures in place for each level reflect the prevailing disease situation and recognise that we can and must prioritise some activities over others.

It is not possible to say what public health measures will be in place in the future. The public health advice relating to Covid-19 is kept under continuing review by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), by my Department and by the Government . The measures in place and the public health advice have been adapted to the changing circumstances and this will continue to be the case for the foreseeable future.

Details of weddings numbers at each level of the COVID-19 Resilience & Recovery 2021: The Path Ahead can be found at Appendix 1 under Social and Family Gatherings/Weddings.

Details of the public health measures currently in place for weddings can be found at:- https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/2dc71-level-5/#weddings

Fáilte Ireland has also provided guidelines for the hospitality industry which includes guidance on weddings and is available at: - https://failtecdn.azureedge.net/failteireland/Guidelines-for-Re-opening-Hotels-and-Guesthouses.pdf

Audiology Services

Questions (770)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

770. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the timeframe for the waiting list for an audiology appointment at present in the CHO2 region, Galway; and the measures being taken to reduce the waiting times. [12627/21]

View answer

Written answers

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Vaccination Programme

Questions (771)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

771. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the breakdown on vaccine administration by county. [12634/21]

View answer

Written answers

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Vaccination Programme

Questions (772, 774, 823, 998)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

772. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if he can confirm reports of needle or syringe shortages in general practice settings which is reportedly delaying vaccine administration. [12635/21]

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Peadar Tóibín

Question:

774. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to instances of delays in vaccine supplies reaching general practitioners which is resulting in general practitioners having to cancel appointments for persons who were due to receive the Covid-19 vaccination. [12637/21]

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Seán Canney

Question:

823. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that general practitioner practices around the country did not have their vaccine orders processed by the HSE and were left without a vaccination; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that this processing failure is causing great distress for older persons and their families and is undermining confidence in the roll-out of the vaccine; the steps he is taking to address the problem to ensure that these general practitioner practices get their supplies as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12839/21]

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Jackie Cahill

Question:

998. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health the position regarding vaccine allocations to general practitioners for persons over 80 years of age (details supplied). [13536/21]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 772, 774, 823 and 998 together.

Ireland’s strategy is to distribute all COVID-19 vaccines that we receive, subject to ensuring availability of the second dose. At the beginning of last week, Ireland had received approximately 520,000 vaccine doses and by the end of the week approximately 500,000 doses were administered, a measure of the programme’s efficiency. Vaccines continue to be administered very quickly after their arrival into the country. At the moment, vaccine administration is limited only by the supply of approved vaccines and that is dependent on manufacturers meeting their supply commitments.

As with all Vaccine Administration Sites, consumables (needles, syringes, sharps bin etc.) are delivered separately to vaccines. Planning is predicated on the approach that consumables will be delivered in advance of the vaccine delivery and every effort is made to ensure that this is the case. However, I am aware of a small number of incidents where consumables have not arrived in advance of the vaccine delivery.

In relation to General Practitioners, the position is that at the conclusion of the first phase roll-out of the programme last weekend, the HSE has confirmed that the majority of patients aged 85 years and over have received their first dose of the vaccine as scheduled. GPs have also begun administration of vaccine to people aged 80-84. In total over 1,300 GP practices, representing in excess of 3,000 GPs and their Practice Teams have delivered over 90,000 vaccines by last weekend and a further 37,000 vaccines being distributed this week (w/c 8 March). The programme has also involved a number of large-scale GP clinics, which have taken place in the Helix DCU, MTU in Cork and Merlin Park Galway with over 1,500 over 85’s receiving the vaccine at these locations.

There are a very small number of practices, less than 30, who are due to receive first delivery this week for their over 85s and it is also intended to commence the vaccination of those who are homebound as arrangements have been put in place in conjunction with GP’s, local community teams and the National Ambulance Service and will commence this week and also patients in our acute hospitals. The HSE has acknowledge that there were problems with communication with GPs generally and that some issues have arisen with the distribution of vaccines to some GP practices over the last week, and steps are being taken to improve this situation also.

As is well known, the vaccination programme is limited internationally by the supply of vaccine and our programme to date has ensured that all available vaccine is distributed and administered as quickly as possible. The supply required for the completion of the programme by mid-May remains on target. However, due to a re-profiling of the Moderna vaccine delivery schedule, the total vaccine doses available for distribution in the coming weeks is now slightly less. The available vaccine supply is approximately 15% less than the required amount to meet the total over-80 cohort. This means GPs may not receive the total order for these coming weeks but, in all instances, GPs will be advised on the amounts they will receive and any shortfall in vaccine for the over-80 age group will be allocated in the next order and so on through March with a significant ramp-up in vaccine delivery in April as increased supplies arrive in Ireland. Unfortunately, these supply issues are outside of our control. However, if any additional supply becomes available, this will be provided to General Practitioners at the earliest opportunity. Importantly, the HSE expects that the totality of the over-70s programme will be completed within the original timeframe of mid-May.

Vaccination Programme

Questions (773)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

773. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who have had their Covid-19 vaccine appointments cancelled to date in 2021. [12636/21]

View answer

Written answers

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Question No. 774 answered with Question No. 772.

Addiction Treatment Services

Questions (775)

Duncan Smith

Question:

775. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if there has been an increase in the amount of young person's seeking treatment for drug addiction in County Kildare since the beginning of March 2020; if so, if the HSE has provided additional facilities to deal with any increase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12652/21]

View answer

Written answers

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.

Departmental Funding

Questions (776)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

776. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health the amount of funding his Department has provided to an organisation (details supplied); and if the funding was drawn down under section 38 or 39 funding. [12671/21]

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Written answers

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Drugs Payment Scheme

Questions (777, 778)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

777. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the reason the drug semaglutide has been removed from the drugs payment scheme for use by polycystic ovary syndrome patients; his plans to reinstate it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12672/21]

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Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

778. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the reason semaglutide has been removed from the drugs payment scheme for use by polycystic ovary syndrome patients; if he plans to reinstate the drug on the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12674/21]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 777 and 778 together.

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Drugs Payment Scheme

Questions (779)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

779. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if drugs for the treatment of hyperemesis gravidarum are being considered for the drugs payment scheme or medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12677/21]

View answer

Written answers

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Charitable and Voluntary Organisations

Questions (780)

Michael Lowry

Question:

780. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health the way in which a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary can obtain permission to complete a charity run from Mizen to Malin Head; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12680/21]

View answer

Written answers

As you will be aware, the public health restrictions at level 5 of the Government's Framework Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19 will remain in place until 5th April 2021, when a further review will be conducted. The Framework continues to provide an appropriate mechanism to guide decision-making, and it will continue to be supplemented by more detailed sectoral guidance in relation to measures that apply at each level of the Framework.

On 23rd February, 2021, the Government published it's updated plan for managing Covid-19 - COVID-19 Resilience & Recovery 2021: The Path Ahead. This three part plan reviews the learnings from our experience to date, considers the enormous impacts our efforts to manage and suppress the disease have had on our economy and on our society and sets out a cautious and measured approach to the easing of restrictions over the coming months.

The public health measures in place at any level of the Plan recognise the need to reduce congregation and interactions between people to reduce the transmission of Covid-19. The number of people allowed to gather in different scenarios in the Plan is based on a review of international practice and the judgment of public health experts. It seeks to balance the risks of different types of gatherings against the desire to allow normal activities to proceed in so far as possible. The measures in place for each level reflect the prevailing disease situation and recognise that we can and must prioritise some activities over others.

Under the current restrictions at level 5, people are asked to stay at home as much as possible unless they have a "reasonable excuse" for leaving, which includes for exercise with 5km of home. Further information is available here - www.gov.ie/en/publication/2dc71-level-5/#travel-restrictions.

S.I. No. 701 of 2020 Health Act 1947 (Section 31A - Temporary Restrictions) (COVID-19) (No. 10) Regulations 2020, as amended by S.I. No. 4 of 2021, S.I. No. 29 of 2021 and S.I. No. 95 of 2021, sets out the current public health restrictions at level 5.

Statutory Instruments relating to the Covid pandemic are available here: www.gov.ie/en/collection/1f150-view-statutory-instruments-related-to-the-covid-19-pandemic/.

Health Services

Questions (781)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

781. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health the rationale behind the HSE decision to suspend services at a service (details supplied) in County Dublin; when these services will resume; the alternative services in place for persons in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12681/21]

View answer

Written answers

The Gay Men's Health Service is a community STI service and is managed through HSE Community Healthcare East (CHO6).

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an unprecedented interruption to normal healthcare activity, with all services affected. In 2021, all health services continue to face restrictions, as the health system continues to need to prioritise treating those with COVID-19 and rolling out the vaccination programme.

The closure of the GMHS in 2020 related primarily to the necessary redeployment of increasing numbers of personnel to diverse COVID-19 related duties. During the interval in which the GMHS was closed, significant efforts were made to maintain service provision by referring patients to alternative services in Dublin.

Currently, CHO6 are continuing to work to reopen the GMHS on a phased basis. The recruitment of permanent staff is progressing with administration staff in post and IT expansion underway.

Existing PrEP users are now being seen in the GMHS. The Clinic’s Consultant in Infectious Diseases (Gay Men’s Health service (GMHS) and GUIDE Clinic, St James’s Hospital) and other doctors are providing virtual consultations. PrEP service users attend GMHS for STI screening and blood testing. Those with diagnosed STIs or requiring Hepatitis and/or HPV vaccination continue to be treated in GMHS also.

In summary, a phased reintroduction of STI services is currently under way in GMHS. All services are being and will continue to be delivered in accordance with current Public Health COVID guidelines. Officials from the Department of Health and the HSE Sexual Health and Crisis Pregnancy Programme are in regular contact with CHO6 to monitor progress regarding the phased reopening of the GMHS.

It should also be noted that phone lines, the GMHS website and other resources such as www.man2man.ie and www.sexualwellbeing.ie are regularly updated to reflect current service delivery and to signpost users to the HSE list of approved STI and PrEP services.

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