I propose to take Questions Nos. 610 to 612, inclusive, together.
The Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Escalation Policy and Full Capacity Protocol is in place and has been operational since August 2011 in line with the National Guidance Documentation. The policy is used to assist in the ongoing management and timely implementation of escalation procedures during periods of peak demand for in-patient beds.
The policy consists of a tiered and incremental suite of plans which are implemented in the hospital and community care areas as part of a multi disciplinary response to avoid Emergency Department overcrowding. In addition to the timely placement of admitted patients in acute hospital beds, management, consultants and nursing staff must focus on reducing potential admissions, including electives outpatients, hospital transfers, hospital avoidance measures, and efficiently manage the treatment and patient discharge process.
In addition to the Full Capacity Protocol, I have approved funding to open 11 additional general Medical Beds in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital. This additional capacity will facilitate the opening of a Short Stay Medical Unit which will streamline the provision of assessment and treatment by a Senior Clinician for the first 48 hours following admission. It is envisaged that this development will reduce the length of stay for medical patients in OLOLH thereby contributing to a direct reduction in overcrowding in the Emergency Department.
An analysis of attendances to the Emergency Department of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital for the first quarter of 2012 has demonstrated a 20% increase in attendances. However the mean daily admission rate from the Emergency Department to an in-patient bed has increased and the mean time spent by patients in the Emergency Department has been reduced. This indicates an improvement in the management of the overcrowding and the Management Team are committed to continuous improvement strategies to address the situation.
The Special Delivery Unit in my Department remains actively engaged with Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Drogheda on this matters.