AQW 16146/17-22
Ms Paula Bradshaw
Alliance Party
South Belfast
Tabled Date: 10/03/2021
Answered On Date: 26/03/2021
Priority Written: No
Question:
To ask the Minister of Health for an update on the strategic plan to address the waiting lists crisis, particularly with regard to the progress and delivery associated with GP elective care to help support care for patients in the community.
Answer:
My Department is currently working alongside the HSC to develop a longer term approach to tackling waiting lists on a sustainable basis. The approach will set out how we will restart elective activity as the process of de-escalation gets underway; how we will systematically reduce the backlog of patients waiting; and how we will redesign the service to enhance and protect elective capacity on a sustainable basis. The focus of our health service will continue to be on resetting all elective services in an environment that is safe for both staff and patients. HSC Trusts are working with clinicians and the Health and Social Care Board to prioritise the care needs of patients who have been referred into the HSC and also to ensure that all available capacity is utilised as effectively and equitably as possible across the region. The Elective Care Plan, which sets out the plan for the transformation and reform of elective care services, includes the expansion of capacity and capability in primary care. The continued development of pathways and services within primary care are strategically important in the management of waiting lists. A range of pathways have been designed to facilitate patients being managed more appropriately in primary care without the need to refer to hospital services. The pathways provide primary care capacity and also support an improved approach to demand management via peer support, peer review, peer education, self-management and self-directed care at a population level within GP Federations. Current services provided and activity to date include: Dermatology: to safely manage a range of routine dermatological conditions in a primary care setting; At the end of January 2021, a total of 4,052 (including dermatology surgery) patients were seen face to face as well as a further 933 patients managed remotely; Gynaecology: to safely manage a range of routine gynaecological conditions (Coil fitting, Long-Acting Reversible Contraception) in a primary care setting. A total of 2,538 patients were seen and treated and a further 1,007 remote consultations provided; Vasectomy: to safely deliver non-scalpel procedures in a primary care setting. A total of 1,479 patients were treated; Musculo-skeletal/Pain: to safely manage a range of routine MSK conditions in a primary care setting. A total of 2,302 were seen in clinic and a further 233 patients managed remotely; Minor Surgery: to safely manage a range of routine minor surgical procedures (lipoma excisions, sebaceous cysts, dermatofibroma, excisions for diagnostic purposes) in a primary care setting. A total of 548 patients were treated. These services reduce elective waiting times for patients and the current elective backlogs across the relevant specialities. It is planned that these services would continue into 2021/22 with planned expansion across the HSC and the introduction of new specialties in primary care, including Cardiology, Photo Dermatology and Gastroenterology, subject to funding.
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