Gino Kenny
Question:362. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health when the Winter Plan will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55300/21]
View answerThursday, 11 November 2021
Questions (362, 363)
Gino Kenny
Question:363. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health the provisions which will be implemented in the Winter Plan in the areas of managing Covid-19 cases in intensive care units, the flu, elective surgeries and non-elective surgeries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55301/21]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 362 and 363 together.
The Winter Plan 2021/22 is in active development by the HSE and it has just submitted a revised plan on foot of a request by the Department of Health. The revised Plan will reflect the funding available and set out the measures to be implemented and the expected impacts. My Department is continuing to engage intensively with the HSE on the issue, and a finalised Winter Plan will be published in due course.
As part of the Winter Plan 2021/22, the HSE are preparing for the volume of both unscheduled and scheduled activity to return to previous levels. In order to accommodate this demand the HSE will implement new ways of working, open additional capacity, and continue to enhance infection prevention and control measures in our healthcare facilities.
In line with the Sláintecare 'right care, right time, right place' approach, the Winter Plan will be targeted at optimising and creating capacity at three critical stages in the patient pathway: avoidance of hospital admittance unless absolutely essential, patient flow through our hospitals, and safe and timely egress of patients from hospital. As in previous years, Winter Plan initiatives will aim to reduce demand on emergency care by providing additional acute bed capacity, alternative care pathways outside the acute sector, and additional discharge supports in the community.
The 2021/2022 Influenza Vaccination Programme, which is an important part of winter preparation, was launched on 4 October 2021. Vaccinations are available free of charge to adults in specified at-risk groups and children aged from 2 to 17 years of age.
Question No. 363 answered with Question No. 362.