A Dáil Deputy has sought an update on the provision of telemedicine facilities for island communities as outlined in the Programme for Government. The Fine Gael spokesperson on Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Michael Ring, said the proposal was to provide telemedicine facilities to allow Ireland's most remote island communities and medical practitioners access to doctors and consultants in specialist hospitals.
Minister Harney responded: “I understand that, as part of its emerging strategy for Information and Communications Technology which is expected to be completed later this year, the Health Service Executive is considering how telemedicine and telecare facilities can be best deployed to remotely monitor and provide services to patients, including those with chronic conditions, thus reducing the need to travel for medical consultations.
“Developments in this area will be particularly beneficial to those living in island communities. Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the HSE under the Health Act 2004. Therefore, the executive is the appropriate body to respond in more detail to the query.
“My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the executive to arrange to have the matter further investigated and to arrange to provide more specific detail on the progress made to date in this area directly to Dep Ring.”
The Westport deputy said he welcomed an investigation into the matter but stressed the urgency of having the scheme implemented as quickly as possible.
“Island inhabitants find it extremely difficult and expensive to get to and from their homes for hospital appointments. This regularly involves overnight stays on the mainland thereby adding significantly to the cost of attending consultations. The introduction of telemedicine facilities would greatly assist and I would urge the Minister to push for its introduction at the earliest possible time,” he concluded.
