Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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740. To ask the Minister for Health the interim arrangements that have been put in place at the Letterkenny University Hospital community ophthalmic service in view of all three physicians having left the facility. [50491/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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741. To ask the Minister for Health when a full service will be restored at the Letterkenny University Hospital community ophthalmic service. [50492/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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742. To ask the Minister for Health the protocols that were in place at the Letterkenny University Hospital community ophthalmic service on 24 August 24 2021 when a person (details supplied) requiring urgent care was referred to Sligo University Hospital; the protocols that were in place at Sligo University Hospital ophthalmic service on 24 August 2021 that failed to deal with the patient until 8.30 pm; the reason the patient who had to endure a 200km journey back to north County Donegal on 24 August 2021 due to the fact the phlebotomy department at Sligo University Hospital was closed at 8.30pm; if on the morning of 24 August 2021 there were three physicians on duty at the Letterkenny University Hospital campus, when the patient was advised to travel onwards to Sligo University Hospital due to the fact no physician was available; and the protocols that were in place at Letterkenny University Hospital ophthalmic services that allowed the above patient to be denied access to a physician given that the patient had eye inflammation and was in pain. [50493/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As this refers to an individual case, I have referred this matter to the HSE for their attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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743. To ask the Minister for Health if he is satisfied that the level of ophthalmic service is in accordance with best health practice for the community of north County Donegal, where many of the patients are over 200 kilometres from Sligo Hospital. [50494/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The HSE Primary Care Eye Services Review Group (PCESRG) Report was launched in June 2017. The Report sets out current levels of service, models of service provision and the consultation process undertaken with patients, advocates, ophthalmic staff and representative bodies. It also highlights the limitations of the current model of service delivery and sets out the way forward for a significant amount of eye services to be delivered in a primary care setting. The Report estimates that 60% of existing outpatient activity could be moved to primary care thus enabling hospital services to focus on patients who require more specialist diagnostics or treatments.

The National Clinical Programme for Ophthalmology has developed a model of care which details how the realignment of eye services from the acute hospitals to the community will be undertaken. The recommendations from the PCESRG Report also complement the Model of Care.

The PCESRG Report remains current and the temporary arrangements currently required for processing of some ophthalmic patients from Donegal in Sligo Hospital are not aligned with the long-term objectives outlined therein. The HSE has advised that work is currently underway to increase the capacity of ophthalmic services in Donegal.

The HSE is implementing a number of measures under the PCESRG Report. Included in current priorities is transferring the care of children aged 8+ years to the care of local private optometrists, creating a new role of Consultant Medical Ophthalmologist, and recruiting additional Consultant Medical Ophthalmologists to other CHOs.