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Hospitals Discharges

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 December 2018

Wednesday, 5 December 2018

Ceisteanna (73, 80)

Anne Rabbitte

Ceist:

73. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health the measures that will be taken to reduce the number of bed days lost owing to delayed discharges in hospitals in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50728/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Declan Breathnach

Ceist:

80. Deputy Declan Breathnach asked the Minister for Health the measures that will be taken to reduce the number of bed days lost owing to delayed discharges in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50733/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 73 and 80 together.

The recently published report of a Working Group set up to carry out an independent expert review of delayed discharges recognised that delayed discharges or transfers of care are caused by a multitude of factors. The report made nine recommendations which include the development of a national policy to provide for a more consistent approach to recording delayed discharges, strengthening data collection, standardising definitions and ensuring consistent discharge guidelines.

Following its publication, I stressed that my immediate focus was on reducing delayed patient discharges and transfers of care as we come into winter through mobilising the additional resources being made available through the Winter Plan and ensuring that social care measures are effectively deployed to enable older people leave hospital and return to a more appropriate care setting, including their own home, as quickly as possible, with the supports they need.

As part of Budget 2019, €10 million has been made available to the HSE for the winter period for home supports and other measures to minimise delays in people getting home from hospital, with a focus on those in the over 75 age group. The Department of Health sanctioned the release of €5m of this additional funding to support the deployment of social and primary care measures to enable patients to return from hospital to their home or community with the supports they need.

This will provide 300 additional home support packages, additional transitional care and additional aids and appliances. These measures are currently being put into operation. A further 250 home support packages will be provided in the New Year. I will be monitoring progress on these actions over the winter months and I am considering, with my officials, an appropriate approach to progressing the longer term recommendations of the recent Review.

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