Covid-19 Pandemic

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 July 2020

Tuesday, 14 July 2020

Ceisteanna (1047, 1075, 1159)

Alan Kelly

Ceist:

1047. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health when the HSE roadmap for reopening health services will be published. [14878/20]

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

1075. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health when the service continuity roadmap will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14975/20]

David Cullinane

Ceist:

1159. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health when he will publish the roadmap to restore non-Covid-19 healthcare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15438/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1047, 1075 and 1159 together.

The Covid-19 pandemic has led to an unprecedented interruption to normal health services both in the community and acute hospitals. While many vital services were maintained or restructured to respond more appropriately to Covid-19 related risks and evolving needs, other services were suspended or delivered on a reduced basis.

To ensure services are re-introduced in a safe, clinically aligned and prioritised way, the HSE have published a Strategic Framework for ‘Service Continuity in a Covid Environment’. This document was published on June 8th and can be found at the following link: https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/news/newsfeatures/covid19-updates/service-continuity-in-a-covid-environment-a-strategic-framework-for-delivery.pdf.

The implementation of the Framework will ensure service resumption is done in an integrated and phased manner. It will consolidate new ways of working and build on international knowledge.

The HSE are currently developing a Service Continuity Roadmap for the resumption of services across the health system.

The aim of the operational delivery system is to reintroduce services in a phased manner over the coming months. This approach is based on the assumptions that the virus transmission levels will remain low and that public health measures will continue to reduce.

It should be noted that not all services will return to pre-Covid activity levels due to infection prevention and control requirements and current social distancing measures to prevent further spikes of Covid infections.