Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 October 2013
189. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Health the number of delayed discharges there have been in Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown in 2013; the reasons for these delayed discharges; the actions that has been taken to reduce this figure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42831/13]
View answerDelayed Discharges continue to present a significant challenge to the optimal use of acute hospital resources. They impede the operational functioning of a hospital and expose patients concerned, predominantly older persons, to the inappropriate risks of longer acute hospital stays e.g. hospital acquired infections. Higher numbers of delayed discharges can also be associated with extended waits in the Emergency Department.
My Department and the HSE remain seriously concerned regarding the situation in relation to delayed discharges and consider it essential that this issue is successfully addressed. A number of actions have been initiated in this regard. These include the establishment by me of a Ministerial task force to deliver substantial improvements in delayed discharges, including a review of the operational arrangements associated with the ‘Fair Deal’ scheme. Senior personnel have been tasked with improving cross hospital-community process issues, focusing first on the ‘longest waiting’ delayed discharges (>100 days). The aim is to remove all local barriers to discharge and identify those matters which require action at a national level. The management teams have been making good progress with respect to these tasks and it is intended to quickly roll-out this structure to all areas.
The HSE increased allocations of Fair Deal approvals, temporarily prioritised Fair Deal referrals for patients in acute hospitals, including referrals to long stay facilities from acute hospitals for older persons with complex needs and also targeted appropriate homecare packages for older persons in acute hospitals experiencing significant delayed discharges. New reporting systems and processes have also been introduced. A HSE web-based database that allows tracking at patient level (on an anonymous basis) is in the implementation phase in a number of hospital sites. In addition, the categorisation of reasons for delay has been reviewed. The data captured through the web-based system will facilitate revised metrics for each hospital. There will be a greater emphasis on reducing the bed days lost to delayed discharges, with targets established on a site-by-site basis.
As the issues raised regarding the number of delayed discharges and the reasons for these delayed discharges from Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown are operational matters for the HSE, I have asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy in relation to this.
