Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 20: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views on the fact that 23,000 patients are currently on hospital waiting lists in Galway and that a total of 1,341 bed days were lost in 2008 due to delayed discharges; the action she will take to accommodate patients from County Sligo and County Mayo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6661/09]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I recognise the need to improve access for public patients for outpatient consultations. The HSE has identified outpatient services as an area requiring substantial improvement and its 2009 National Service Plan contains a number of specific objectives in this regard. Unnecessary return attendances and non-attendance by patients for such appointments reduce the capacity of outpatient departments to see new patients. Therefore a particular focus will be on increasing the number of new patients seen, through a reduction in the ratio of new to return attendances and also of the number of non-attendances for booked appointments. A range of other organisational issues will also be addressed in order to improve the efficiency of these services.

The arrangements for outpatient services in the Galway University Hospitals are encompassed by this project. Referrals to outpatient services are categorised based on information provided by the referring general practitioner and urgent cases are prioritised over routine ones. In 2008 the total number of outpatient attendances at the Galway University Hospitals was 175,060. Of these 56,267 were new attendances. Among the options being considered to improve waiting times are the extension of a pilot arrangement whereby clinics see new patients only and the extension of the number of satellite clinics within the region.

The HSE is addressing the issue of delayed discharges through a combination of increased investment in alternatives to acute hospital stay and improvements in the discharge planning process at hospital level. The figure cited by the Deputy in relation to delayed discharges in Galway University Hospitals equates to 3.67 beds, which compares favourably with other hospitals. The delays mostly related to patients under 65 requiring complex continuing care. Recent information furnished to my Department indicates that only 0.4% of the beds at Galway University Hospitals were occupied by delayed discharge patients.

In relation to the question raised about patients from counties Sligo and Mayo I take it that the Deputy is referring to the transfer of breast cancer services to University College Hospital Galway. The transfer of breast cancer patients from Mayo has proceeded satisfactorily. Breast cancer services will transfer from Sligo when the Interim Director of the National Cancer Control Programme is satisfied that all necessary supports are in place to effect a safe transfer of the service.