Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Hospital Overcrowding

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 February 2018

Thursday, 8 February 2018

Ceisteanna (66, 221, 233)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

66. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the most effective and immediate action that can be taken to alleviate overcrowding in emergency departments nationally; if an analysis has been carried out with a view to identifying the capacity and demand at all accident and emergency units; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6364/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

221. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the degree to which the actual deficit in accommodation at the various accident and emergency hospitals throughout the country as experienced in January 2018 has been identified; if extra accommodation and staffing will be provided to address this issue in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6615/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

233. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which he can provide or avail of step-down bed accommodation in all areas throughout the country as a means of alleviating overcrowding in public hospitals in general; if he has examined the potential use of decommissioned beds or wards in or adjacent to the public hospitals, thereby providing an available solution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6627/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 66, 221 and 233 together.

Tackling overcrowding in Emergency Departments (EDs) is a key commitment of the Government. Accordingly, €30 million in additional funding was provided in 2017, and a further €40 million is being made available in 2018, to manage the expected peak in demand for our health services over the winter period and to strengthen capacity moving forward.

Since the start of this winter, 170 additional beds haven been opened nationally, in St Vincent’s University Hospital, Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Drogheda, University Hospital Limerick, University Hospital Galway, Beaumont Hospital Dublin, St. James Hospital Dublin, the Mater Hospital Dublin and in Naas General Hospital.

Building further on the learning from the Health Systems Capacity Review, and as part of planning for Winter 2018/2019, my Department is working closely with the HSE to identify where additional bed capacity can be brought on stream as early as possible in 2018, with a view to supporting patient flow within our Acute Hospitals and alleviating the level of overcrowding the system is currently experiencing.

Furthermore I am aware that the HSE is currently developing a three year plan for unscheduled care, which will include a capacity and demand element, and which will feed into the decision making process moving forward.

Barr
Roinn