Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 May 2017
462. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the details of HSE plans to set up specially designed prefabs in an effort to address the trolley crisis, in view of recent media reports; the hospitals which have been selected; the resources and funding which have been allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21916/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE has put in place a National Framework for temporary alternative accommodation at Hospital Sites as just one part of a broad range of measures undertaken under the Winter Initiative Plan 2016-2017 aimed at alleviating pressure on our EDs. As of yet there have not been any decisions made in relation to the opening of temporary alternative accommodation in specific locations but any such decisions will be based on the procurement process as set out in this National Framework and submissions made by hospitals and hospital groups to the HSE as part of their budgetary processes.
As the Deputy may be aware, the Winter Initiative provided €40 million of additional funding for winter preparedness. This Initiative was developed to manage the expected winter surge in demand for hospital care in an integrated way across Primary, Acute and Social Care. This Initiative concluded in March.
A range of practical measures to address ED overcrowding were implemented, including 90 additional beds, aids and appliances for over 4,450 patients, around 1,000 extra homecare packages and 615 additional transitional care bed approvals.
During this Initiative, delayed discharges reduced from 638 in September 2016 to a low of 434 at the end of December and were maintained below 500 from mid-December through to end February. This had a positive impact on ED overcrowding and trolley numbers, in freeing up beds for use by patients awaiting admission to hospital.
Since the start of 2017 there have been approximately 5% less patients waiting on trolleys nationally compared to the same period last year. I can assure the Deputy that there continues to be a very strong focus on reducing ED overcrowding and my Department and the HSE are currently engaged in a process to commence winter planning for next year and to achieve an improvement trajectory in ED performance.
