Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 July 2020
667. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the number and age category of persons waiting for orthopaedic surgeries in UHK; the length of time they have been waiting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13746/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra669. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting for cataract removal in University Hospital Kerry by age category and the length of time they have been waiting for their procedure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13755/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 667 and 669 together.
In response to the Covid-19 pandemic the HSE had to take measures to pause all non-urgent elective scheduled care activity with effect from the end March 2020. This was to ensure patient safety and that all appropriate resources were made available for Covid-19 related activity and time-critical essential work. This decision was in line with the advice issued by National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) and in accordance with the World Health Organisation, and the National Action Plan. The decision to delay appointments and admissions is not undertaken lightly and when such a decision is made, it is based on the safe delivery of care to all patients.
NPHET has approved a number of recommendations relating to protecting and maximising the delivery of essential time-critical non-Covid-19 care alongside Covid-19 care. On 5 May, NPHET agreed that its recommendation of 27 March, in regard to the pausing of all non-essential health services should be replaced, in relation to acute care, with a recommendation that delivery of acute care be determined by appropriate clinical and operational decision making. Application of the essential risk mitigating steps set out in the guidance developed under the auspices of the NPHET Expert Advisory group will have operational implications, which will impact on throughput.
Where possible, hospitals are working to find innovative ways to enable service provision, which include virtual clinics for some outpatient department appointments. The HSE website provides details on services currently available and operational in each hospital on its website. This information is reviewed frequently and provides up-to-date announcements on services available at each site (https://www2.hse.ie/services/hospital-service-disruptions/hospital-service-disruptions-covid19.html).
To ensure services are re-introduced in a safe, clinically-aligned and prioritised way, the HSE launched its Strategic Framework for ‘Service Continuity in a Covid Environment’ on 24 June. Its implementation will ensure service resumption is done in an integrated way. This will involve a phased approach to ensure community services are strengthened. The Framework will also consolidate new ways of working and build on international knowledge. The HSE is currently developing a Service Continuity Roadmap for the resumption of services across the health system.
The data requested regarding orthopaedic surgeries in UHK is outlined in the following table. In relation to the requested information concerning the number of persons waiting for cataract removal in University Hospital Kerry by age category and the length of time they have been waiting for their procedure, the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) have advised my Department that there are currently no IPDC waiters for Cataract surgery in UHK.
*Due to the small volume of patients waiting in certain time-bands and age profiles, to preserve patient confidentiality, when the number of patients is <5, these have been included within the broader 'Small Volume timebands’ & ‘Small Volume Age Profile’ cohorts.
|
Small Volume Time Bands |
0-3 Months |
3-6 Months |
6-9 Months |
9-12 Months |
Grand Total |
|
|
University Hospital Kerry |
||||||
|
Orthopaedics |
||||||
|
16-35 |
8 |
8 |
||||
|
36-65 |
36 |
48 |
29 |
11 |
124 |
|
|
66+ |
22 |
57 |
24 |
8 |
111 |
|
|
Small Volume Age Profile |
13 |
13 |
||||
|
Grand Total |
13 |
58 |
113 |
53 |
19 |
256 |
