Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 June 2022
1442. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the position regarding patients with mental health issues who cannot wear a face mask attending a general practitioner surgery; and the procedures that are in place for these persons. [29118/22]
View answerTo help prevent the spread of Covid-19, mask wearing is advised on public transport and in healthcare settings. Mask wearing is also advised based on individual risk assessment, particularly while disease incidence is high. Anyone who wishes to wear a mask should not be discouraged from doing so. The HSE website provides advice on when and how to wear a face mask.
General practice continues to see patients face to face where necessary, with appropriate infection-control measures in place. GPs, as private practitioners, may choose to make alternative arrangements to facilitate an appointment with patients for whom mask wearing is not suitable. In general, it is expected that clinical practice should be accessible to all patients, in line with normal risk assessment procedures as appropriate.
