Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 January 2024
17. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that an organisation (details supplied) has stated that 122,879 patients, including 3,494 children, were admitted to hospital without a bed in 2023, that hospitals are in a near constant state of overcrowding coupled with short staffing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1648/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is extremely conscious of the distress overcrowded Emergency Departments cause and the very challenging working conditions in hospitals throughout the country.
This winter is the first winter we are using an all-year approach to urgent and emergency care, since the switch last year from annual winter plans recognising that the required investment, changes and supports go beyond winter.
I am delighted to report important progress on behalf of all patients, and this is due to the huge efforts of healthcare workers across the country that deserve our appreciation and thanks.
Last year in total there was an 8% reduction in the 8am trolley numbers compared to 2022, and due to the laser sharp focus on UEC from July to December, the last six months returned over 20% less trolleys than 2022. To put that reduction into context, it equates to 15,000 less patients waiting on trolleys from July to December last year. There has also been a concerted focus placed on reducing our elderly patients, aged 75 and over, waiting on a trolley for over 24 hours and the second half of 2023 delivered a 40% reduction in that number (4,600 patients).
There have been significant levels of recruitment in recent years. The number of staff employed across the health service has risen by over 20% or 25,000 (net), in just over three years.
The plan for 2024 is a simplified approach, bringing continuity and sustainability to the improvements achieved so far. This does not mean that the system is fixed, but we are moving in the right direction. There is a wide variance in the UEC performance across different hospitals, with only seven sites accounting half of all trolleys. We need to continue supporting those sites under pressure and insisting consistent implementation of the reforms and changes we know work.
[<a ref="https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/debates/questions/supportingDocumentation/2024-01-18_pq15-18-01-24_en.docx">Summary</a>]
