Billy Kelleher
Question:214 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the names and numbers of emergency units that will be downgraded to urgent care centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4607/12]
View answerThursday, 26 January 2012
Questions (213, 214)
Billy Kelleher
Question:215 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the basis on which emergency units will be downgraded to urgent care centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4608/12]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 214 and 215 together.
Immediately following my appointment I set about establishing the Special Delivery Unit to unblock access to acute services by improving the flow of patients through the system. The SDU was established in June last year and quickly began work with the HSE to put in place a systematic approach to eliminate excessive waiting in emergency departments. The SDU is establishing an infrastructure based on information collection and analysis, hospital by hospital, so that we will know what is actually happening in real time. This will allow us to begin to embed performance management in the system to sustain shorter waiting times.
The Special Delivery Unit has a special focus on trolley issues. During October 2011, the SDU wrote to hospitals with the highest numbers waiting on trolleys seeking proposals aimed at reducing those numbers over the critical period of November 2011 to January 2012. A range of measures were approved across 16 hospital sites and funding of €4.85 million was allocated for the purpose with strict performance criteria laid down.
While it is too early for complacency, the signs so far have been very encouraging with significant reductions being recorded nationally in numbers waiting each day when compared with the same period last year. The situation will be closely monitored and the appropriate action will be taken in relation to sites at risk up to and including postponing elective surgery for a short period.
I also want to ensure that as many services as possible can be provided safely in smaller, local hospitals. Joint HSE/Departmental group is currently developing a framework for the future development of smaller hospitals. Consultation with all the key stakeholders, including patients and public representatives, will be an integral part of the process.
The organisation of hospital services nationally, regionally and locally will be informed by the clinical programmes, which have been developed and implemented by the HSE, and by the work on the framework for the development of smaller hospitals. These inter-related programmes aim to improve service quality, effectiveness and patient access and to ensure that patient care is provided in the service setting most appropriate to individuals' needs.
The following additional information was provided under Standing Order 40A
Immediately following my appointment I set about establishing the Special Delivery Unit to unblock access to acute services by improving the flow of patients through the system. The SDU was established in June last year and quickly began work with the HSE to put in place a systematic approach to eliminate excessive waiting in emergency departments. The SDU is establishing an infrastructure based on information collection and analysis, hospital by hospital, so that we will know what is actually happening in real time. This will allow us to begin to embed performance management in the system to sustain shorter waiting times. The Special Delivery Unit has a special focus on trolley issues. During October 2011, the SDU wrote to hospitals with the highest numbers waiting on trolleys seeking proposals aimed at reducing those numbers over the critical period of November 2011 to January 2012. A range of measures were approved across 16 hospital sites and funding of €4.85 million was allocated for the purpose with strict performance criteria laid down. While it is too early for complacency, the signs so far have been very encouraging with significant reductions being recorded nationally in numbers waiting each day when compared with the same period last year. The situation will be closely monitored and the appropriate action will be taken in relation to sites at risk up to and including postponing elective surgery for a short period. I also want to ensure that as many services as possible can be provided safely in smaller, local hospitals. A joint HSE/departmental group is currently developing a framework for the future development of smaller hospitals. Consultation with all the key stakeholders, including patients and public representatives, is an integral part of the process. The organisation of hospital services nationally, regionally and locally will be informed by the clinical programmes, which have been developed and implemented by the HSE, and by the work on the framework for the development of smaller hospitals. These interrelated programmes aim to improve service quality, effectiveness and patient access and to ensure that patient care is provided in the service setting most appropriate to individuals' needs. The draft framework for the future development of smaller hospitals is close to completion and I will consider it shortly. Any decisions on the future development of smaller hospitals will require to be looked in the context of the framework, when this process is completed.