Irish Thoracic Society

Lobbying Organisation Irish Thoracic Society

Date published 18 Jan, 2021

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Health

Period 1 Sep, 2020 to 31 Dec, 2020

Specific Details Impact of COVID-19 on respiratory healthcare services and the need for increased resources as Winter approaches and for a Respiratory heathcare strategy for Ireland.

Intended results Recognition of the impact that COVID-19 has had on already over-stretched respiratory services and provision for increased resources in the community healthcare and acute hospital systems. A meeting to discuss the need for a National Respiratory Healthcare Strategy for Ireland

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Dr Aidan O'Brien and Ms Suzanne McCormack

Did any Designated Public Official(DPO) or former Designated Public Official(DPO) carry out lobbying activities on your behalf in relation to this return? You must include yourself, and answer Yes, if you are a current DPO or a DPO at any time in the past. (What is a Designated Public Official?) No

Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign? No

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Letter (1)

Follow-up letter and updated submission sent to members of the Oireachtas Committee on Health and to the Minister for Health outlining concerns on the impact of COVID-19 on already over-stretched respiratory healthcare services, specifically in advance of the Winter season. Inclusion of proposed response developed in conjunction with the National Clinical Programme Respiratory.

Email (1)

Forwarded to the OIreachtas Health Committee copies of studies on theimpact of COVID-19 on lung cancer diagnostic services presented at the ITS Annual Scientific Meeting as well as results of a survey and press release outlining the impact of COVID-19 on respiratory healthcare services. This was sent in response to a request in advance of a Committee session relating to cancer screening and diagnosis.

Letter (1)

Letter to Minister the Minister for Health with a copy of the Respiratory Health of the Nation Report requesting a meeting to discuss the need for a Respiratory Healthcare Strategy in Ireland to address the burden of lung disease on the healthcare system and on the quality of life of a significant proportion of our population through a structured, integrated and funded approach.

Designated public officials lobbied

The following DPOs were lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area. These DPOs were involved in at least one of the Lobbying Activities listed above, but not necessarily all of them. As returns are specific to a Subject Matter Area the above Lobbying Activities may be associated with multiple returns.

Stephen Donnelly Minister (Department of Health)

Colm Burke TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Neasa Hourigan TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Róisín Shorthall TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

David Cullinane TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Cathal Crowe TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Seán Crowe TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Gino Kenny TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Bernard Durkan TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

John Lahart TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)