Hospital Services

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 November 2017

Wednesday, 15 November 2017

Questions (65)

Pat the Cope Gallagher

Question:

65. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Health his strategy for dealing with the ongoing capacity difficulties at Letterkenny University Hospital whereby full capacity protocols have been exercised throughout 2017; his winter strategy for the hospital and the expected increase in demand for services; the way in which his Department plans to deal with these issues; the additional resources he plans to provide; the extra bed capacity he plans to introduce in order to deal with this ongoing crisis at Letterkenny University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48094/17]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I wish to acknowledge the distress for patients and their families, and the impact on staff, caused by cramped and overcrowded conditions in some of our hospital Emergency Departments (EDs). ED overcrowding, and long patient waiting times for emergency care, are of critical concern within the health service and tackling this issue remains a key priority for my Department. As such I am delighted 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.

In relation to these particular queries raised in relation to Letterkenny University Hospital, as they are service matters, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.