Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 June 2018
179. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the status of the €2.5 million allocated to patient safety and quality as outlined in budget 2018; the amount that has been spent; the way in which the money has been spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27231/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department, in recognising the challenges of healthcare associated infections and antimicrobial resistance for the health system, held back dedicated funding of €2 million for 2018. Of this, €1.8 million (FYC) has been allocated to date. The HSE has prioritised work programmes for this funding in line with assessed risk. The majority of the funding available has been allocated for the purposes of providing support to hospitals currently managing CPE/HCAI outbreaks, hospitals that have had a CPE/HCAI outbreak in the past, and the National Reference Laboratory for CPE.
In addition, it is intended that the balance of the €500,000 will be allocated to a number of HSE patient safety initiatives. The HSE is also establishing a Patient Safety Programme that will coordinate efforts in this area both to enhance existing efforts and bring forward new initiatives.
