Terence Flanagan
Question:147. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47523/14]
View answerThursday, 11 December 2014
Questions (147)
Written answers
Emergency Department overcrowding is a very serious issue for patients and staff, as it is extremely difficult to deliver optimal care in an overcrowded department. The issue is being actively addressed by the Health Service Executive, through the work of the Special Delivery Unit. Specific measures to address pressures on access to acute hospital care have been put in place. These include observation of the National Waiting List Protocol, adherence to relevant HSE National Clinical Programme guidelines, and the implementation of new patient care pathways, such as medical assessment, minor and local injury units and urgent care centres to provide a spectrum of care which supports the efficient use of hospital resources.
However, it is also important to recognise that for over-crowding to be successfully addressed, the wider hospital and the local community services must all respond appropriately. The current and future challenge to sustaining a reduction in the number of patients waiting on trolleys will require a focus on additional use of Acute Medical Units and early referral to a senior medical doctor, specific care pathways for frail older persons and appropriate National Clinical Programme Models of Care to manage older persons and those with chronic illnesses in the home and community care settings.
One of the most significant issues with regard to access to acute hospital care is delayed discharges. There are over 800 patients in hospitals whose discharge from hospital has been delayed due to lack of funding to enable them to return home or to move into long term care. The Government has provided additional funding of €25 million in 2015 to address delayed discharges. This funding will be targeted at hospital and community services which can demonstrate initiatives to address specific needs of delayed discharge patients most positively and therefore improve timeliness for admissions from Emergency Departments and waiting lists. An extra €3 million was allocated in this year's Supplementary Budget for Health to allow the delayed discharge initiative to start this year, rather than next year as originally intended. This initiative will enable many of these patients to move from acute or transitional care into long term care or to return home with appropriate supports and will help to alleviate pressures on acute hospital bed capacity.
The Department and HSE Divisions of Acute Hospitals, Primary Care and Social Care will work collaboratively to ensure that any funding provided will target delayed discharges and encourage Acute Hospitals and Community Healthcare Organisations to work together to resolve the issue. I am also re-establishing the Emergency Department Forum, which will meet monthly in order to develop solutions to problems being experienced by Emergency Departments, with the emphasis on those which are experiencing the greatest levels of difficulty.