Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 March 2023
1510. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Health if the appointment only system introduced in the paediatric outpatient and urgent care centre in Blanchardstown Hospital is initially for three months and then up for review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13869/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraCHI at Connolly, which opened in July 2019, is a children’s Outpatient and Urgent Care Centre staffed by specialist paediatric team including nurses, doctors, health and social care professionals and support staff. Urgent care is for the diagnosis and treatment of injuries or illnesses requiring medical review which are not serious enough to require Emergency Department attendance or inpatient admission.
The demand for services in CHI at Connolly Urgent Care Centre has steadily increased since it opened and CHI has advised that the Urgent Care Centre is currently seeing daily attendances far beyond the planned level of service activity. This demand is putting significant pressure on the system, resulting in long waiting times, and impacting on patient experience, which is difficult for both families and staff.
To address these issues CHI, informed by clinical advice, changed the Urgent Care Centre at Connolly from a walk-in service to a same day appointment service from the 22nd of February. A digital swift queue process on the CHI at Connolly website allows families to book an appointment at short notice and there are options for parents who cannot access online services.
This approach will improve patient experience by reducing onsite waiting times for families and will also redirect attendances which are more clinically suited to primary care or an Emergency Department. CHI is monitoring the impact of this change across the CHI sites during the three-month pilot period.
