Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 June 2023
1280. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Health his views on reinstating genetic clinician satellite clinics in each of the regions by the national genetic services in Crumlin as national genetic resources are being ramped up, given the immense efficiencies that a timely diagnosis of genetic disease can bring; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28321/23]
View answerThe Government and I are fully committed to improving genetics services in Ireland. One of the key ambitions the National Strategy for Accelerating Genetics and Genomics Medicine in Ireland, launched in December 2022, is to build a strong national genetics service. This will be a patient and family-centred service that can be accessed equitably across the country and throughout the lifespan of patients.
The Strategy outlines a plan to achieve this ambition by improving the evidence-base and infrastructure supporting genetic testing in Ireland. While this work is underway there is currently no plan to establish genetic satellite clinics.
The immediate priority is to prioritise the recruitment of key National Office staff and front-line staff to support the expansion of this service. In line with Sláintecare, the allocation of these resources will be across the Health Regions.
Recruitment
To accelerate the establishment of the National Office, interim appointments have been made for senior positions in the first instance. To date the following positions have been appointed to the National Office:
• An Interim National Director
• An Interim National Clinical Director
• An Interim National Clinical Laboratory Director
• An Interim National Bioinformatics Director
• A Business Co-ordinator (Grade VI)
• A Communications Co-ordinator (Grade VI)
The allocation of front-line staff will be determined by an operating model for genetics and genomics. The Interim Director and Interim National Clinical Director will be responsible for progressing this. However, to address current demand, some front-line posts have been progressed ahead of the completion of this operating model. Recruitment for the following positions in currently underway:
• Consultant Clinical Geneticist at Galway University Hospital
• Genetic Counsellor at Galway University Hospital
• Genetic Counsellor at Children’s Health Ireland at Crumlin
• Genetic Counsellor at Beaumont Hospital
• Genetic Counsellor at St James/St Vincent’s
• 2 Genomic Resource Associates (Grave V) at Children’s Health Ireland at Crumlin
The operating model, once developed, will support equitable allocation of the remaining resources.
A National Laboratory for Bioinformatics
A review of current national laboratory capacity is currently underway. This review will be completed by Q3 and outcomes will be used to inform the establishment of a National Bioinformatics Lab. This Lab, once established, will help increase Irish genetic testing capacity, reduce the number of tests that need to be sent abroad for analysis and reduce wait times for genetic testing results. An interim appointment for a National Bioinformatics Director has already been made to help progress the evidence base required for this work as the National Bioinformatics Lab is being established.
The National Testing Directory for Genetics and Genomics
A key ambition of the first-year implementation plan is the development of a National Testing Directory for genetics and genomics. This Directory will map current genetic tests conducted across Ireland and provide a more transparent process to referrals. This development, therefore, will be a key steppingstone to improving national genetic testing and ultimately help reduce wait times. Progression of a National Testing Directory of Genetics and Genomics is currently being supported by one of the workstream’s of the Implementation Steering Group. After a successful submission to the Sláintecare Integration Innovation Fund, a call for the development of this Directory will be advertised in Q3.
