Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 November 2016
389. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the reason ten inpatient beds at University Hospital Waterford have been closed; the details of the additional beds which were promised as part of the winter programme; if these additional beds will also now not open; the reasons for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33729/16]
View answerIntegrated, patient-centred approaches to winter planning are key to ensuring that the health service effectively manages peak winter pressure times in our EDs, such that patients experience a safe, high quality health service, in the setting most appropriate to their needs. Accordingly, the Winter Initiative has provided €40 million of additional funding to facilitate such an approach for this period of particularly high pressure.
The Initiative aims to strike a balance between hospital avoidance measures, supporting patient flow through acute hospitals and increasing the availability of social care services. In relation to University Hospital Waterford the Winter Initiative will provide: 6 additional Home Care Packages per week until February 2017, funding to discharge 2 complex cases on a once off basis; funding for 15 surge capacity beds; funding to enable patients requiring orthopaedic surgery to avail of treatment at Cappagh Hospital.
I am currently chairing a weekly meeting with the HSE to drive progress in implementing the Winter Initiative. With regard to the specific queries raised by the Deputy, as these are service matters, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
