Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 May 2024
55. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which he and his Department continue to monitor the operation of national accident and emergency departments in all hospitals throughout the country with a view to eliminating, insofar as is possible, avertable accidents; if action can be taken to ensure that patients on trollies can have reduced waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19770/24]
View answerIn the first three months of 2024, there was a 12% reduction in trolleys (4,000 patients) despite our Emergency Departments experiencing a 12% increase in attendances (41,000 patients). This current drop in trolley numbers continues the notable reduction seen during the latter half of 2023 compared to the same six months in 2022.
This is happening while our health service is also experiencing a significant increase in demand for elective care. Various steps are being taken to help alleviate the pressure and reduce waiting times;
- The health service is standardising Injury Unit (IU) hours.
- Hospitals are maximising the number of patients attending Medical Assessment Unit (MAUs) with direct patient pathways for National Ambulance Service (NAS) referrals and enabling patients to bypass Emergency Departments.
- The HSE is extending GP access to community diagnostics for the GP out of hours services to help reduce the number of patients who are presenting to EDs for diagnostics.
- Hospitals have been asked to provide additional and extended hours for senior decision makers and staff needed to help with the discharge of patients and patient flow at weekends.
We have moved away from annual winter plans, with the publication of the 2023 Urgent and Emergency Care Plan last July. This recognises that the required investment, changes and supports for urgent and emergency care go beyond winter. The 2023 UEC Operational Plan is the foundation for the 2024 UEC Operational plan, providing continuation and sustainability to the improvements achieved thus far. An initial focus in the plan is improving PET for the over-75s as a priority patient cohort, and those most likely to require longer hospital stays.
