Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 May 2012
513 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the measures that have been put in place since the beginning of 2012 to deal with accident and emergency overcrowding in Drogheda Hospital, County Louth. [24174/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
514 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if an assessment has been carried out of the capacity requirements of Drogheda Hospital, County Louth, including the number of beds required at the hospital; the current number of beds at the hospital; and if additional measures are need to deal with capacity constraints at the hospital. [24175/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed by the HSE that capacity assessments have been carried out pre-transformation and post the transfer of acute medicine from Louth County Hospital to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda. The most recent capacity assessments, undertaken by Public Health Specialist Doctors, were in relation to the implementation of the Acute Medicine Programme and as such pertain to medical bed capacity. The assessment indicates a requirement for 127 acute medical beds on the Drogheda site. The site is currently operating 104 acute medical beds, 8 of which were recently commissioned by the Special Delivery Unit. Approval has been given to commission a further 11 beds and recruitment is underway to staff this capacity.
Capacity modeling factors in the bi-directional flow of patients, between the three hospitals in the Louth Meath Hospital group, also includes the requirement for 5 long-term care beds for the group on a weekly basis.
