Hospital Services

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 February 2018

Thursday, 8 February 2018

Ceisteanna (51, 85)

Pat the Cope Gallagher

Ceist:

51. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Health the level of joint approach his Department and the HSE have adopted in dealing with the lack of bed capacity and appropriate staffing levels at Letterkenny University Hospital and the network of community hospitals throughout County Donegal; the strategy he is adopting regarding crises within Letterkenny University Hospital which is experiencing extreme capacity issues for more than a year and no additional intervention is being provided by either the HSE or his Department; if his attention has been drawn to the degree of crises which exists within the health services in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6100/18]

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

85. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health his plans to ensure approval is forthcoming for a request for additional funding of €1.8 million for Letterkenny University Hospital in order that the hospital can open an additional 20-bed ward and staff it appropriately to address an issue with persons having to wait on trolleys for hospital admission. [6111/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 51 and 85 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.

In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.

Question No. 52 answered with Question No. 40.