Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 May 2020
788. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health when appointments for public or private consultants can begin to be scheduled again, in particular for consultants who deal with cancer patients in view of the fact an early diagnosis is of utmost importance to ensure it is treated successfully; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6714/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Action Plan on Covid-19 identified the continued delivery of cancer care as a priority, through ensuring the delivery of national specialities and maintaining urgent activity (including cancer rapid access clinics). In line with this, cancer services have continued following consideration of the risk:benefit ratio of treatment for individual patients, the prioritisation of time-sensitive treatment and the review of the location of the delivery of cancer services.
Medical Oncology services are continuing, some in private facilities. The National Cancer Control Programme reports that attendance remains relatively high. Radiation oncology is continuing at approximately 80% capacity. There will continue to be challenges to capacity for some time due to the ongoing need to ensure physical distancing and the clean-down of machines between treatments. The focus in relation to cancer surgery has been on maintaining urgent time-sensitive surgeries. In many cases the location of surgery has been moved to a private hospital. Rapid Access Clinics for breast, lung and prostate cancer continue to operate and people are being encouraged to visit their GPs if they have any concerns in relation to cancer or other health issues.
In relation to the arrangement between the HSE and the Private Hospitals Association, consultants who work wholly in private hospitals have been offered temporary locum public patient only (Type A) contracts for the duration of the arrangement. The patients in the hospitals will be treated as public patients and will be prioritised based on clinical needs, as with any other public patient. The patients will remain under the care of their existing consultant, if the consultant is a whole-time private practice practitioner who accepts the HSE’s offer of a temporary contract, or if the consultant is already employed by the HSE.
If a patient’s consultant does not accept the HSE’s offer, the patient will have the option of being transferred to the care of another consultant as a public patient.
