Over 61,000 people have suffered from symptoms for more than 2 years New health research launched today has revealed the incidence of long COVID symptoms has remained stubbornly constant over the last 18 months, with 6% of adults currently reporting suffering from post-pandemic symptoms. The data is based on a series of polls, commissioned by Denis Naughten TD and conducted …
Time to End Means Testing for Family Carers!
The Dáil Regional Group of TDs from across the Country are seeking cross-party support for their motion to end the means testing of family carers. This motion aims to replace the current Carers Allowance system with a non-means tested scheme based solely on care needs, recognising the invaluable contribution of over 500,000 family carers across Ireland. Family Carers, who represent …
Health workers set to lose special leave for long COVID, says Naughten
Denis Naughten has urged the Government to reconsider its decision to terminate the special leave entitlement for frontline health workers who contracted COVID-19 early in the pandemic and have since been unable to return to work due to long COVID symptoms. Deputy Naughten has received confirmation from the Health Minister that these workers will be required to return to work …
Saturday appointments addressing cardiology waiting list – Naughten
Local TD Denis Naughten has praised the Saolta Hospital Group for measures it has taken to address cardiology outpatient waiting times in Galway University Hospital. “Measures implemented under the HSE’s Waiting List Action Plan have seen additional temporary staff and overtime allocated for scheduled care so that valuable public hospital resources can be used at weekends to treat more elective …
Naughten seeks publication of report into births at UHG
Denis Naughten TD is seeking the publication of an Independent Clinical Care Review into nine births that occurred in University Hospital Galway (UHG) in 2022. Speaking in the Dáil later today (Thursday) Denis Naughten will call for the review into nine cases of neo-natal subgaleal haemorrhage, which occurred during births in UHG in 2022, to be published immediately. …
Disappointingly long COVID will not be recognised as an occupational illness – Naughten
One year ago, during the passage of the Social Welfare Bill 2022 Minister Heather Humphreys gave me a commitment to look at introducing a provision to include long COVID as an occupational illness under the Social Welfare code. I tabled an amendment to that legislation and as a result of that the Minister promised to produce a report on …
24 dentists left medical card scheme across Roscommon & Galway – Naughten
A total of 24 dentists have withdrawn from the medical card scheme across Roscommon and Galway over the last five years leaving many patients unable to access dental treatment, Denis Naughten TD has revealed. “In this time just over half of the dentists providing a service to County Roscommon patients have left the scheme, while 40% of dentists have left …
New research shows over 5% of adults actively living with symptoms of long COVID
HSE figures show long COVID patients wait 15 weeks for a clinical appointment New polling data released today has found that more than one in every twenty adults in Ireland are actively living with self-reported symptoms of long COVID. The data is based on a survey commissioned by Independent TD Denis Naughten and conducted by leading polling company Ireland …
Long COVID has potential to place significant burden on our healthcare services
I asked my colleagues in the Oireachtas Library & Research Service to update a previous research paper that I received on long COVID to get an updated understanding of the definition, incidence, and healthcare issues surrounding long COVID. The sad reality is that the symptoms of long COVID can not only last for months but even years and can include …
Patients now waiting 15 weeks for first long Covid appointment – Naughten
2,740 patients referred for specialist long Covid care Patients are now waiting an average of 15 weeks to access long Covid clinics in hospitals across the country, with the longest wait of 35 weeks for patients trying to access the clinic at Tallaght Hospital. Symptoms of long Covid include fatigue and brain fog, which are experienced at least three …