Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 February 2012
279 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the total number of patients currently residing in general hospitals and awaiting transfer to either public or private nursing homes; the extent of waiting lists and the average time on such waiting lists for placement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8717/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraImmediately following my appointment as Minister for Health, I set about establishing the Special Delivery Unit, the purpose of which is to unblock access to acute services by improving the flow of patients through the system.
The problems in our emergency departments are complex and they did not arise overnight and they will take time to resolve but they are being tackled in a systematic and relentless fashion through the SDU. For some hospitals the issue of delayed discharges are a factor and additional funding was provided to some hospitals at the end of last year to alleviate this. The funding was issued on a strictly once off basis, based on specific proposals including the reduction of delayed discharges.
The HSE is currently developing a Care of the Elderly Programme. Some of the objectives of the Programme are — to improve the management of acutely ill frail older adults in acute hospitals, increase independence in the home and reduce inappropriate admission to nursing homes. I do not minimise the scale of the task before us but I am very confident that the SDU will facilitate real performance improvement in the Irish hospital system.
In relation to the Deputy's query regarding the number of patients awaiting transfer to nursing homes, I have arranged for the question to be forwarded to the HSE who will respond directly to the Deputy.
