HSE 'in a position to commence non Covid-19 services in a safe way'

THE head of the HSE Paul Reid has stated the health service is now in a position to commence non-coronavirus services in a safe way, RTE News is reporting.

But he warned the provision of health services will not be easy and will not be the same as before.

Mr. Reid said the HSE will need to keep its capacity at about 80% to be able to deal with any coronavirus-related surge and will use both the public and private hospitals to achieve this.

He said cancer services, cardiology and other procedures would be among the first services to be prioritised. 

Mr. Reid also said that while the numbers are good in relation to Covid-19, the situation is still very vulnerable and fragile and that nobody can predict what will happen next.

He said all testing at nursing homes has been completed and the focus is now on mental health and disability sectors.

He explained that the contact tracing app is still being developed but will not play a major role in the contact tracing process.

He said the numbers in intensive care continue to trend downwards, and are now 55% lower than at the peak of 160.

The number of people attending emergency departments was up 1.8% this week but was down 27% on the same time last year. 

Dr Colm Henry told a press briefing today that while there were many positive indicators, long term settings remain a challenge.

He also confirmed that five healthcare workers in total have passed away from Covid-19.

Dr. Henry said the return of screening services for things such as cervical and breast cancer are a priority but that plans had not been finalised this regard.