Written Answers Nos. 209-215
209. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of beds and wards in all public and voluntary acute hospitals that were closed on 29 March 2019 or the latest date for which data for validated bed closures at hospital and ward level are available, in tabular form. [15923/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAccording to provisional data received from the HSE Acute Business Information Unit, there were on average 10,972 inpatient beds and 2,217 day case beds/places available nationally in February 2019.
Information relating to closed beds is collated at a particular date in time. The number of beds closed can fluctuate greatly from day to day for a variety of reasons, including on-going refurbishment, maintenance work, and infection control measures.
In relation to the particular data requested, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
210. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of bed days lost through delayed discharges in each public and voluntary hospital to 31 March 2019, in tabular form. [15924/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
211. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the percentage of clinical status 1 ECHO incidents responded to by first responder in seven minutes and 59 seconds or less; and the percentage of clinical status 1 DELTA incidents responded to by a patient carrying vehicle in seven minutes and 59 seconds or less in each ambulance station in each month to date in 2019, in tabular form. [15925/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.
212. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of patients aged 75 years of age or over that experienced an emergency department wait time of more than 24 hours to 31 March 2019; and the hospitals in which the wait occurred. [15926/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe hospital system is currently operating at close to full capacity. The number of patients attending Emergency Departments continues to increase year on year, with approximately 1.3 million attendances in 2018, up 3.5% on 2017. This reflects increasing demand for unscheduled care, especially by patients in the 75 years and over age group. Patients in this age group are the highest users of most health and social care services, have more complex needs and longer stays in our acute hospitals.
However, the National Service Plan 2019 includes an expected activity target that 99% of patients aged 75 and over are discharged or admitted within 24 hours of registration. Any breach of this target in respect of patients in this age cohort is unacceptable.
With regard to the specific question the Deputy has asked, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly.
213. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of home support hours being provided in each LHO area to 31 March 2019; the number of persons on the waiting list for home support hours in each LHO area; and the number waiting zero-three, three to six, six to 12 and more than 12 months, respectively, in tabular form. [15927/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
214. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of ambulance attendances at each emergency department nationwide in March 2018; and the number of such ambulances that waited longer than 20, 40, 60, 90, 120 and 180 minutes to hand over patients, get their trolleys back and return to responding to calls, in tabular form. [15928/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.
215. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of spinal fusion patients currently waiting less than four, four to eight, and more than eight months for Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin and Temple Street Children’s University Hospital at 31 March 2019 or the latest date available, respectively, in tabular form; and if he will provide the same information for other spinal patients. [15929/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe long-term strategy to develop sustainable scoliosis services is a priority for my Department and for the HSE, and the impact of investment and the implementation of the Scoliosis 10 Point Action Plan is now delivering results with a consistent reduction in waiting times being recorded.
Children's Health Ireland (CHI) advise that the total number of surgeries performed in 2018 was 418 compared with 371 in 2017. This represents an increase in activity of 12% against 2017 and an increase in activity of 87% compared to 2016 when 224 procedures were carried out.
CHI advise that as of the 29th March 2019 there were 174 patients on the Total Spinal Waiting List (including suspensions). This is a reduction of 26% (61 patients) since the same period last year when there were 235 patients on the Total Spinal Waiting List. Furthermore, the number of patients suspended has decreased by 77% in the same period, down from 64 at the end of March 2018 to 15 at the end of March 2019.
CHI is currently recruiting two additional general orthopaedic consultants which will further reduce waiting times for children for an orthopaedic outpatient appointment. More broadly, all patient referrals to the orthopaedic spinal service at CHI are reviewed and clinically prioritised by a consultant. These patients are seen in order of clinical priority. Most patients are seen within 12 months.
An additional 800 Outpatient appointments were given to patients in CHI at Crumlin in 2018 compared to 2017, which led to a 31% reduction in the overall orthopaedic outpatient waiting list.
The Department of Health is working closely with CHI with the aim of supporting the further development of a sustainable scoliosis service and ensuring that the on-going demand for services is met.
In relation to the specific breakdown of the waiting list requested by the Deputy, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
