Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 July 2020
796. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health when the Covid-19 national guidelines will be published to enable the reopening of day services including Alzheimer’s day services in HSE community healthcare west; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14252/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, day care and other community services play an important role in supporting people with dementia to continue living in their communities. My Department and the HSE are undertaking work to determine the current level of service delivery in the community and to set out plans, including associated required capacity, to resume services, including day services, in line with the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business and the ‘Return to work safely’ protocol. This process will take on board the learning from the Covid-19 experience to date, including the possibility of delivering services in a new way, and the requirement to adhere to public health guidance. This means that services, whilst being delivered in new ways, will gradually be restored to older people, including people with dementia.
Against this background, the HSE has recently published a strategic framework document, outlining its overall approach and phased resumption of services, taking into account the COVID-19 environment in which services will need to work. It will affect how services are delivered, as well as service capacity. It is envisaged that the framework will guide hospitals and community services, including day services, in developing their own local individual plans, on how services can resume, in the months ahead.
