Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy Simon Harris, I thank the Deputy for raising this matter and giving me an opportunity to update the House on the current position on South Tipperary General Hospital. I acknowledge the work of the Deputy on this matter and health matters generally. As the Deputy mentioned, the Minister visited South Tipperary General Hospital last year and is aware that there are capacity challenges at the hospital. However, work is under way to address this issue.

The HSE identified that the most immediate and effective response to alleviate pressure at the hospital is through the fit out of additional space for 11 trolley bays on the first floor. Accordingly, this work was prioritised for funding and has been completed recently. A recruitment process is under way to provide additional staff for this new area. Subject to a successful recruitment initiative, it is anticipated that this additional capacity will open in September 2017.

Another option under consideration is the use of the national framework for alternative accommodation at hospital sites to provide additional surge capacity through a temporary inpatient solution at the site. This will receive further consideration in the context of the Estimates of 2018.

The Minister is advised that the south-south west hospital group, recognising that bed utilisation in the hospital has increased significantly in recent times, is conducting a capacity review. This review which is nearing completion will inform the precise level and nature of any additional capacity required to meet current and future needs. The Department of Health’s national capacity review will also help identify service requirements and inform resourcing priorities. It is noted too that the hospital group is preparing a brief for the procurement of a master plan for the hospital campus. The master plan will provide for the orderly development of the South Tipperary General Hospital campus, and ensure the site is not compromised in any way.

Looking beyond acute services, the Minister had asked the HSE to explore what additional supports Our Lady's Hospital, Cashel, could provide to alleviate pressure in south Tipperary. I understand the HSE has recently submitted a proposal for future service provision which is focused particularly on the development of the Cashel health campus to deliver integrated care for the population of south Tipperary through the collaborative efforts of the south-south west hospital group and community healthcare organisation 5. The proposal will have additional resource requirements including specialist staffing and will therefore need to be considered in the context of the Estimates of 2018.

The Department of Health and the HSE are engaged in a process to commence winter planning for next year and to achieve an improvement trajectory in emergency department performance. Alongside this process, the HSE’s special delivery unit continues to work closely with hospitals to identify improvements that can be made to support patient flow, reduce trolley numbers and improve patients’ emergency department experience.

On behalf of the Minister, I can assure the Deputy that there continues to be a very strong focus on reducing emergency department overcrowding both in south Tipperary and across the country.

See this speech in context