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HSE Planning

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 14 November 2018

Wednesday, 14 November 2018

Questions (226)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

226. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the provisions being put in place for hospitals (details supplied) as part of the winter 2018 acute hospital plans; if extra beds are being provided; if so, the locations in which they are being provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47349/18]

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Written answers

My Department is working closely with the HSE to ensure the most effective response to this winter within current capacity and resources. As part of this process, the HSE requested singular integrated winter plans from Hospital Groups and Community Health Organisations in June 2018.

€10 million in additional funding has been allocated in 2018 primarily for provision of supports to get patients home from hospital, where appropriate, before the end of the year. My Department sanctioned the release of €5 million of this additional funding to support the deployment of social and primary care measures to support this transition in October.

Increasing capacity is a priority for this Government. My Department is currently in discussion with the HSE, in the context of the National Service Plan 2019, to identify the sites for investment and the associated number of beds, as part of an agreed capacity programme for 2019.

The selection and opening of beds on specific sites in 2019 and future years will be considered as part of the annual estimates and service planning process, and subject to financial, operation, human resource and policy considerations and priorities.

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