Michael Colreavy
Question:141 Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Health the measures being taken to reduce the number of delayed discharges in public hospitals. [29421/12]
View answerTuesday, 19 June 2012
Questions (60, 61, 62)
Written answers
Many of the Special Delivery Unit initiatives to date have been targeted at the patients remaining in acute beds post medical discharge and these have involved increased access to home supports and transitional care. A specific project aimed at improving the quality of care delivery to the frail older person is being finalised and a group will be set up to oversee implementation of this national initiative on care of the frail older person. The project aim is to support the frail older person at home, create direct access pathways in the acute setting, rehabilitation and transitional care settings and reduce the length of stay. The Model of Care document is being presented to the Acute and Community Sector currently and Acute and Community Sectors are looking at ways to implement the Model of Care. These plans are being submitted and assessed at the moment. SDU Liaison Officers also work with the hospitals and communities to improve the patient flow of all patient groups.
Question No. 142 answered with Question No. 137.
Michael McGrath
Question:143 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the services that he is requesting hospitals to cut in order to address their deficits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29464/12]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, this country is facing a great economic challenge. In the current economic climate the acute sector must reduce its costs in order to deliver the agreed level of activity within the resources available to it. In terms of service delivery, we must concentrate on getting the best possible services for patients from the budgets available to us. This means a greater emphasis on how beds are used, on the throughput of patients, on reducing length of stay to international norms and on having as many procedures as possible carried out as day cases rather than inpatient work, thus maximising the efficient usage of operating theatre facilities.
The work of the Special Delivery Unit, together with the Clinical Care Programmes and the Smaller Hospitals Framework will help to improve the efficiency of our hospitals, allowing us to treat as many patients as possible in more appropriate settings and within budget. I believe that pursuing efficiencies through these means will be a far more productive approach than debating any reductions in services.
Clare Daly
Question:144 Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if, in the context of the severe pressure on the State’s maternity services, he intends to bring forward proposals to expand and develop community based midwifery schemes as the safest, most cost-effective and woman-focused quality maternity care. [29357/12]
View answerThe matter raised by the Deputy relates to the delivery of services and accordingly has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.