Violet-Anne Wynne
Question:947. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health if he will publish the HSE winter plan for this year as soon as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40041/23]
View answerWednesday, 20 September 2023
Questions (947, 948)
Violet-Anne Wynne
Question:948. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health when he will publish the HSE winter plan for this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40042/23]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 947 and 948 together.
Urgent and Emergency Care pressures are no longer just experienced during winter periods. Prolonged levels of high presentations and congestion now occur throughout the year. While significant investment has been driven through Winter Planning and National Service Plans over the past three years, a new approach to Urgent and Emergency Care (UEC) planning is now required in response the changing demands.
This approach is twofold:
• The delivery of an Urgent and Emergency Care Operational Plan for 2023, which was signed off by Government at the end of July; and
• The delivery of a 3-year multi-annual UEC Strategy, which is expected to be submitted to Government in the Autumn.
Surge periods of exceptionally high ED activity are anticipated for the remainder of 2023. The Plan contains surge measures, which were informed by the After-Action Review of the Winter Plan 2022/23. The UEC Operational Plan 2023 has been published on the HSE website.
The UEC Operational Plan 2023 will lead into year one of the multi-annual UEC Strategy and will align with the governance structure of the overarching multi-annual UEC Strategy.
Question No. 948 answered with Question No. 947.