Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 December 2018
458. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of patients aged 75 years of age or over who experienced an emergency department wait time of more than 24 hours to date in 2018; and the hospitals in which the wait occurred. [50912/18]
View answerI wish to acknowledge the distress overcrowded Emergency Departments (EDs) cause to patients, their families and frontline staff working in very challenging working conditions in hospitals throughout the country.
Reflecting the demographic pressures associated with the growth in our aging population, this year has been characterised by high demand for unscheduled care, particularly among the over-75 age group. Patients in this age group are the highest users of most health and social care services, have more complex needs and longer stays in our Acute Hospitals.
I recognise that hospitals are increasingly operating at or above capacity, with year-round demand pressures that are further challenged over the winter months. However, the National Service Plan 2018 includes an expected activity target that 100% of patients aged 75 and over are discharged or admitted within 24 hours of registration. Therefore, any breach of this target in respect of patients in this age cohort is unacceptable.
With regard to the specific question the Deputy has asked, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly.
