Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 June 2023
39. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the reasons for the ongoing overcrowding in Tallaght Hospital's emergency department; the steps that are being taken to address it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26704/23]
View answerI wish to acknowledge the distress overcrowded Emergency Departments (EDs) cause to patients, their families, and frontline staff working in very challenging conditions in hospitals throughout the country.
This Government is doing a huge amount to increase capacity in our health service by funding an unprecedented increase in staff and beds.
On 29th May I announced the publication of the HSE’s Capital Plan for 2023. There are currently over 500 health capital projects underway across the State.
Overcrowding is now a year-round challenge and I have asked the HSE to address it as such.
The HSE are finalising two planned approaches to urgent and emergency care: a plan for the remainder of 2023, this will be published in Q2, and a 3-year plan which will be published in Q3.
These plans will focus on:
• Continuing the sustainable initiatives implemented during major congestion and escalation events this winter.
• Developing a framework to enable high impact operational improvements.
• Enhancing performance management to strengthen operational grip with a focus on key areas such as patient flow and length of stay.
A key priority for my department is the improvement of Patient Experience Time and reform of service delivery across the entire health system is a key part in achieving this.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
