I propose to take Questions Nos. 53, 63, 67, 68, 72, 90, 106 and 129 together.
Recent data from the HSE indicates that in 2016 there was a circa 5% increase in Emergency Department attendances nationally. In addition, early January 2017 saw continued significant pressure on our EDs due to high demand, increased incidence of flu mainly affecting older people, as well as on-going bed capacity constraints due to staff shortages.
In September 2016, the HSE launched the ‘Winter Initiative Plan 2016-2017’ which provided €40 million of additional funding for winter preparedness and to assist hospitals to deal with increased demand. In January 2017, in response to significant pressures in our EDs in the early New Year, a series of enhanced measures were added to this Initiative.
So far, the Initiative has delivered 75 newly-opened additional beds. Also, as of 24 January, delayed discharges have reduced nationally to 469, freeing up hospitals beds to alleviate ED pressures. In addition under the Initiative, since October: over 3,900 patients have availed of aids and appliances; over 780 additional homecare packages and 410 additional transitional care beds have been provided, enabling patients to be discharged from hospital sooner. Along with my Department, every week, I meet with senior officials from the HSE, including the Director General, to monitor progress on the Winter Initiative and ED Performance.
In relation to the specific sites identified in this composite PQ response, I can confirm that both Cork University Hospital and the Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore have been identified as focus sites under the Winter Initiative experiencing the greatest challenges in terms of ED pressures, and consequently needing specific support measures in order to be able to respond more effectively to expected surges in demand for emergency care over the busy winter period. Under the Initiative, 18 new step-down beds have opened in the Mercy University Hospital Cork, and the Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore will also receive 12 new acute beds, which are expected to open by mid-February.
While all hospitals have experienced ED pressures this winter and increased demand for ED services, Sligo University Hospital, Kerry General Hospital and Mayo University Hospital have been performing better than the national average in terms of patient experience times and trolley numbers. Under the current HSE Service Plan 2017, additional funding is provided to facilitate the opening of the new medical assessment unit at the the Midlands Regional Hospital in Portlaoise. The performance of all of these hospitals is monitored on a daily basis by the HSE’s Special Delivery Unit and support is given as needed to facilitate alleviating ED pressures.