Patricia Ryan
Question:1811. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on adequate services and resources for genetic testing services in Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin. [2074/24]
View answerWednesday, 17 January 2024
Questions (1811)
Written answers
The Government and I are fully committed to improving genetics services in Ireland. One of the key ambitions of the National Strategy for Accelerating Genetic and Genomic 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 across the lifespan of patients. In 2023, the Government allocated €2.7 million to the implementation of this Strategy. This allocation included the establishment of a National Office of Genetics and Genomics and the appointment of frontline staff. To ensure frontline staff posts are allocated in line with the Sláintecare vision of providing an equitable national service, these initial appointments have been allocated across the HSE Health Regions in areas of immediate need.
2023 Allocation of Frontline Staff
Last year, the following genetics/genomics posts were allocated to deliver services in CHI, Crumlin:
• 2 genomic resource associates
• 1 genetic counsellor
In addition to these CHI Crumlin allocations, the following posts have been allocated:
• 1 genetic counsellor to each of the following locations:
• HSE Dublin and North-East - Beaumont Hospital
• HSE West and North-West - Galway University Hospital
• HSE Dublin and Midlands and HSE Dublin and South-East - St. James Hospital / St. Vincent’s University Hospital
• HSE South-West – via post allocated to CHI to deliver clinical services in Cork
• HSE Mid-West – via post allocated to CHI to deliver clinical services in Limerick
• 1 Consultant Clinical Geneticist to each of the following locations:
• HSE West and North-West - Galway University Hospital
• HSE Mid-West – via post allocated to CHI
The recruitment of genomic resource associate and genetic counsellor posts have been subject to the recent embargo on recruitment as directed by the HSE.
2024 Allocations
One of the key outputs for the National Genetics and Genomics Office is the development of an operating model for genetics and genomics. The operating model will determine where additional posts are required and outline a plan for recruitment. The Interim Director and Interim National Clinical Director will be responsible for progressing this work package.
Training and Development for Genetics and Genomics
As part of the implementation of the National Strategy, there is a plan to build a strong genetic workforce for the future. This will be achieved by not only recruiting new staff, but training and development for a future workforce, and professional development for current staff within the health service. A plan will be developed by the National Genetics and Genomics Office to increase training and development opportunities in genetics and genomics to help support workforce demand. A series of educational webinars and masterclasses have been developed by the National Genetics and Genomics Office in partnership with the RSCI and the RCPI to improve knowledge around genetic and genomic medicine for healthcare professionals.