Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 31 March 2021
1158. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if the RCSI had to seek approval from the HSE and or his Department beforehand in relation to the operational takeover by the RCSI of Dealgan House. [17387/21]
View answer1159. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if an assessment was carried out on the tragic situation that was evolving in Dealgan House in advance of the takeover by the RCSI; if so, the conclusions of the assessment; and if the assessment can be made public. [17388/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1158 and 1159 together.
The State’s responsibility to respond to the public health emergency created the need for the HSE to set up a structured support system in line with NPHET recommendations. This has been a critical intervention in supporting the resilience of the sector in meeting the unprecedented challenges associated with COVID-19.
These supports remain in place and have encompassed:
- Enhanced HSE engagement
- Temporary HSE governance arrangements
- Multidisciplinary clinical supports at CHO level through 23 COVID-19 Response Teams
- Access to supply lines for PPE, medical oxygen etc
- Serial testing in nursing homes
- Access to staff from community and acute hospitals
- Suite of focused guidance, including comprehensive guidance on visiting nursing homes
- HIQA COVID-19 quality assurance regulatory framework
The RCSI Hospital Group temporarily took over the operational management of Dealgan Nursing Home, Dundalk, Co. Louth on April 17th 2020 to assist during the period of COVID-19. That involved the RCSI Hospital Group being responsible for ensuring necessary model of care through provision of appropriate nursing and medical staff.
As the issues raised by the Deputy relates to a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
