Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 24 Feb 2000

Vol. 515 No. 2

Written Answers. - Hospital Services.

Jan O'Sullivan

Question:

90 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health and Children the steps, if any, he will take to ensure that hospitals are not again put under pressure from people suffering from flu-type symptoms, particularly in view of the experience this winter where many hospitals were left overcrowded and forced to cancel operations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5507/00]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

The impact of people suffering from flu-type illnesses on the acute hospital system was felt in terms of increased demand for in-patient care and the capacity of the system to respond to this demand in terms of available beds.

A significant increase in patients attending accident and emergency departments of acute hospitals, particularly in the Eastern Health Board region was experienced in December 1999 and January 2000 and approximately 25% of these attendances required admission. The majority of these patients were aged 65 years and over and the nature of the illnesses were such that patients could not be discharged after two or three days as might be expected. The average length of stay for such patients was seven to ten days and this impacted hugely on each hospital's capacity to cater for elective admissions.

Increased attendance at accident and emergency departments during the winter period by persons with flu or flu-like symptoms is a feature of acute accident and emergency service departments. In this regard my Department has allocated significant funding to such hospitals in recent years to enable them to implement measures aimed at reducing pressure on their accident and emergency departments. This fund-ing amounted to £2.3 million in 1998, £2 million in 1999 and £2 million in 2000. The measures have included minor capital works to improve accident and emergency facilities, new equipment and enhanced staffing levels. A publicity campaign aimed at persuading people with flu or flu-like symptoms to attend their general practitioner rather than an accident and emergency department has also been a feature of accident and emergency Winter Initiatives in recent years.

In response to a request from my Department the Eastern Health Board's Accident and Emergency Steering Group submitted an action plan aimed at alleviating pressure in accident and emergency departments. The plan proposed that 235 additional beds in sub-acute care facilities be provided to allow patients who have completed the acute phase of their illness to be discharged from acute hospitals and to be accommodated in facilities more appropriate to their needs. This plan was accepted by my Department and funding of £2 million capital and revenue was provided in 1999 to facilitate the provision of these additional beds on a phased basis. By the end of December, 195 of these beds had been provided, some on the campuses of acute hospitals, and the remaining forty will be in place in the very near future. My Department has provided an additional £5 million to guarantee the continuation of these additional beds.

In addition, the Office for Health Gain, on behalf of the health boards, which is responsible for advertising and publicity of influenza vaccinations, will be considering the most appropriate manner to encourage persons considered most at risk from influenza to avail of the vaccination in advance of next winter. My Department will also be reviewing the position with regard to the provision of the flu vaccine to key health sector workers.