Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I recognise the points the Deputy has made with regard to the challenges being faced in Clonmel. One of the key targets of the various health initiatives, particularly the €40 million initiative announced by the Minister for Health, Deputy Harris, is to reduce delayed discharges nationally from a high of 695 earlier in 2016 to fewer than 500. The HSE has exceeded this target. It is very important that we recognise that because home care packages are being supplied, people are able to leave hospital, thus taking away some of the pressure.

Of course, there have been some initiatives taken in the hospital to which the Deputy refers. Extra beds have been provided, the emergency department has been extended and the community intervention teams have been further supported. However, challenges remain. Since the start of the winter initiative over 7,500 patients have availed of the services of community intervention teams meaning that many were, in the first instance, able to avoid hospital while others were discharged earlier. Over 1,000 of the aforementioned 7,500 patients got extra services. Under the initiative 670 additional home care packages were provided and 330 extra transitional care beds have been approved since early October 2016. Extra step down beds have also been provided in a number of hospitals.

The Government, like everyone in this House, is keenly aware of the challenges, particularly in our emergency departments.

A range of initiatives has been announced to improve the situation. We have a reduction in the number of people on trolleys but it is still too high. It has reduced from the high of recent weeks. Other initiatives being taken may benefit the situation described by Deputy McGrath, for example, the utilisation of private hospital capacity to support some public hospitals, additional access to diagnostic services for GPs and supporting nursing homes in the challenges they face at present. It is hoped these initiatives will ease the situation. The Minister has been seriously examining and addressing the very situation outlined by the Deputy, which is affecting Clonmel.

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