David Cullinane
Ceist:209. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he has reviewed which temporary measures may be needed to expand capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17725/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 23 July 2020
Ceisteanna (209, 210)
David Cullinane
Ceist:210. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he has examined the use of temporary builds to temporarily expand capacity in the health service; the extent to which these would be required to maintain pre-Covid-19 capacity while accommodating social distancing and infection prevention and control requirements; and the associated costs of same [17726/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 209 and 210 together.
The Programme for Government, Our Shared Future, commits to continuing investment in our health care services in line with the recommendations of the Health Service Capacity Review and the commitments in Project Ireland 2040.
The Capacity Review found that the net requirement, in a reform scenario, is for an additional 2,590 hospital beds by 2031 (inpatient, day case, critical care) with an immediate requirement for 1,290 beds to address overcrowding and to ensure hospitals operated at 85% occupancy in line with other OECD countries. Approximately 770 additional beds have been provided to date. The National Development Plan provides for the addition of the full 2,590 beds by the earlier date of 2027.
The future opening of additional acute bed capacity will be considered in the context of the Estimates discussions and on the priorities in the HSE's National Service Plan.
Furthermore, my Department has written to the HSE to request a comprehensive winter plan which takes account of the additional pressures of providing a safe delivery of emergency care services in a Covid-19 environment. The 2020/21 Winter Plan will seek to reduce attendances at ED by offering alternatives in community care settings, and to reduce the number of people receiving care on trolleys by having capacity available to admit patient in a timely manner.
To ensure services are re-introduced in a safe, clinically aligned and prioritised way, the HSE have published a Strategic Framework for ‘Service Continuity in a Covid Environment’. This document was published on June 8th and can be found at the following link:
https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/news/newsfeatures/covid19-updates/service-continuity-in-a-covid-environment-a-strategic-framework-for-delivery.pdf
The implementation of the Framework will ensure service resumption is done in an integrated and phased manner. It will consolidate new ways of working and build on international knowledge.
While not all services can return to previous levels immediately, many health services have already resumed, particularly for priority cases. The HSE are currently developing a Service Continuity Roadmap for the resumption of services across the health system.