Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 5 Dec 2000

Vol. 527 No. 3

Written Answers. - Winter Initiative.

Jan O'Sullivan

Ceist:

253 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health and Children the guidelines which have been given to health boards on the operation of the winter initiative; the efforts being made ensure that a step-down bed is within a reasonable distance from the patient's home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28566/00]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

The Deputy will be aware that I recently announced a £25 million investment package which is aimed at alleviating anticipated critical service pressures and maintaining services for patients, particularly in acute hospitals, over the winter period. The investment package is being targeted at a number of key areas, including the contracting of private nursing home beds, the provision of aids and supports for use by older people and the appointment of additional accident and emergency consultants and consultant anaesthetists.

In relation to the step-down beds, I have asked the Eastern Regional Health Authority and the health boards to ensure that appropriate monitoring mechanisms are put in place to ensure that the beds contracted are occupied only by those who otherwise might seek admittance to, or are being inappropriately maintained in, an acute hospital setting. I have also asked the ERHA and the health boards to designate a person at senior management level to assume lead responsibility for the monitoring of these arrangements.

The issue of providing a step-down bed within a reasonable distance from the patient's home is a matter for each agency. However, I would expect that reasonable account would be taken of the circumstances of each individual patient in the provision of step-down beds and taking account of the local availability of such beds.