Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 November 2023
563. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Health his views on the upward trend noted by the INMO's 'Trolley Watch' (details supplied) in the last week; what measures his Department is taking to significantly reduce the numbers of patients being cared for on trolleys, chairs and corridors in our hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49801/23]
View answerUnder the Health Act 2004 and the subsequent Health Service Executive Governance Act (2013 and 2019), the HSE is accountable to the Minister for Health. This allows Department officials, on the Minister’s behalf, to interrogate and report on the data provided by the HSE. The Department of Health works closely with the HSE to examine trolley trends, and the question of ED congestion and performance is under constant review by the Department and the HSE. The INMO is a representative body and, as such, the Department of Health has no role in its governance.
Urgent and Emergency Care pressures are no longer just experienced during winter periods and levels of high daily presentations and congestion are now being experienced 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 to this changing and increasing demand profile.
This approach is twofold:
• The delivery of an operational plan for Urgent and Emergency Care for the remainder of 2023, which was signed off by Government in July; and
• The delivery of a 3-year multi-annual Urgent and Emergency Care Strategy to provide a Vision and Framework for UEC for the next 3 years, which is currently being prepared for Government.
The UEC Operational Plan 2023 focuses on improving four key performance indicators. There are specific targets to:
• reduce ED waiting times for older patients;• reduce the number of patients with Delayed Transfers of Care;• reduce the numbers of patients waiting on trolleys; and• reduce average inpatient lengths of stay.
The Urgent and Emergency Care Operational Plan 2023 outlines targeted reform activities and initiatives which will run to the end of 2023, utilising current investment in hospital and community settings to ensure better outcomes in Urgent and Emergency Care.
