Barry Cowen
Question:81. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health his plans to address the overcrowding problems at Midland Regional Hospital, Tullamore, County Offaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2400/15]
View answerWednesday, 21 January 2015
Questions (81)
Written answers
Emergency Department over-crowding is a priority issue for me and for the Government. All hospitals, including the Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore have escalation plans to manage not only patient flow but also patient safety in a responsive, controlled and planned way that supports and ensures the delivery of optimum patient care.
The Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore enacts its escalation policy at peak activity times, the main elements of which include twice daily ward rounds as required by Consultants, twice daily bed management meetings, fast tracking of all home help-home care packages, the prioritisation of diagnostic requests, funding of patients in private nursing homes until Fair Deal is granted, and opening of additional beds where necessary. The HSE has advised that this policy, along with additional measures such as the establishment of a short-stay ward, have ensured that the Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore is in a position to respond quickly to peak activity levels.
The Government has provided additional funding of €3 million in 2014 and €25 million in 2015 to address delayed discharges and actions being taken include the provision of additional home care packages, additional transition beds in nursing homes, 300 additional Fair Deal places and an extension in Community Intervention Teams.
I convened the Emergency Department Taskforce last month to find long term solutions to overcrowding by providing additional focus and momentum in dealing with the challenges presented by the current trolley waits. Following a second meeting last week, the HSE is working on an action plan to be finalised by the end of the month to specifically address ED issues with a view to a significant reduction in trolley waits over the course of 2015.