Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 April 2023
26. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the timeline for the establishment post-acute and long-Covid clinics within each hospital group; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16902/23]
View answerDespite all the progress in relation to COVId19, I am very aware that Long COVID is still causing suffering. To ensure that people who need care have access to it, the HSE is currently implementing a plan to provide Long COVID services nationally. The investment in this service has trebled in 2023 to 6.6 million euro.
Many patients with symptoms of Long Covid are successfully managed by GPs however, for some, further assessment and supports are required. The new national service includes six new Long COVID clinics and eight Post-Acute clinics, the first priority being to have at least one Long COVID and one Post-Acute COVID clinic established in each Hospital Group.
I am advised by the HSE that to date, all six new Long COVID clinics, and six out of eight new post-acute clinics, along with a neurology clinic, located at Saint James’s Hospital, have been established. The HSE is working to establish the agreed remaining clinics. I am aware of some recruitment delays in fully staffing the service. I have been assured that patients are being treated within existing resources until the clinics are fully staffed.
My Department and the HSE will continue to review evidence on all aspects of COVID-19 including Long COVID, to ensure a full national service is in place for those who need it.
