Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 November 2017
183. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which he has continued to identify issues affecting the delivery of services throughout the public hospital sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48442/17]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the Oireachtas Committee on the Future of Healthcare published its report earlier this year which outlines a vision and strategic direction for the health service over the next decade. The report makes a range of recommendations in relation to the hospital sector. I am committed to returning to Government by the end of the year with a detailed response to the report and a draft programme of reform.
Notwithstanding this, I am very aware of the interrelated nature of the challenges our health service faces. As a consequence, I have prioritised a range of policy and operational initiatives to address waiting lists, Emergency Department overcrowding, bed capacity and staff recruitment.
Reducing waiting times for the longest waiting patients is one of this Government's key priorities. Consequently, Budget 2017 allocated €20 million to the NTPF, rising to €55 million in 2018. Budget 2018 allocated additional funding in the region of €10m for the remainder of 2017 to fund patient treatment across a range of key specialties and procedures. In order to reduce the numbers of long-waiting patients, the HSE has been implementing Waiting List Action Plans for 2017 in the areas of Inpatient/Daycase, Scoliosis and Outpatient Services.
Tackling overcrowding in Emergency Departments is a key commitment of this Government and I am happy to confirm that €40 million in additional funding in 2017 has been made available as part of the 2018 Budget to address winter pressures and waiting lists over the rest of this year. A further €45 million has been allocated for measures to improve access to unscheduled care and other acute hospital priorities in 2018.
Some of this funding is already being utilised within the system, with an additional 45 homecare packages and 20 transitional care beds per week being provided for the duration of the winter period. This funding will allow for patients to return home, or an appropriate community setting, when clinically appropriate, thus helping to alleviate some of the pressures our hospitals are currently experiencing.
Funding will also be provided to increase bed capacity this winter and moving forward, as part of service planning for 2018. My Department is undertaking a Health Service Capacity review in line with the Programme for a Partnership Government commitment, the findings of which are due to be published before the end of the year, and which will provide an evidence base for future capacity decisions.
Further, my Department and the HSE are implementing a range of initiatives to increase the medical and nursing workforce.
In addition, I can confirm to the Deputy that all Hospital Groups and Community Health Organisations have developed and put in place integrated winter preparedness plans for their locality focussed on planning and escalation preparedness, maintaining patient flow processes and ensuring public health preparedness.
