Hospital Services

Dáil Éireann Debate, Friday - 16 September 2016

Friday, 16 September 2016

Questions (1391)

Pat the Cope Gallagher

Question:

1391. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Health the measures he proposes to introduce to deal with the overcrowding in the emergency department, operation cancellations, deferred surgeries and growing crises within the hospital over the past year in view of his recent visit to Letterkenny University Hospital; the additional resources and funding the Government is committing to the hospital; the action plan he proposes to put in place to deal with this crises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25921/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Letterkenny University Hospital demonstrates excellent Patient Experience Times in their Emergency Department and has succeeded in reducing the number of patients waiting on trolleys this year. There is evident management intent and commitment to deliver quality unscheduled care.

Following a recent site visit, the SDU has made some recommendations to the hospital which, when implemented, will further improve the ED processes and flow of patients through Letterkenny University Hospital. The majority of these recommendations can be implemented by the hospital itself, with support from Saolta University Healthcare Group.

In relation to scheduled care, Letterkenny University Hospital is examining bed and theatre re-organisation to lessen the number of surgeries cancelled this winter. The hospital also has an excellent integrated system with the community, both in terms of home care supports and care in community hospitals, this will be further supported by the Winter Initiative 2016-17.