Written answers

Tuesday, 31 March 2009

Department of Health and Children

Care of the Elderly

9:00 pm

Photo of Joanna TuffyJoanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 57: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the new long stay beds for older people planned for 2009; the locations of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13093/09]

Photo of Michael D HigginsMichael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 84: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the position in terms off step-down beds being made available in the major urban centres in order that patients in acute hospitals who are ready to be discharged to such beds can be transferred relieving pressure on the accident and emergency departments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13070/09]

Photo of Máire HoctorMáire Hoctor (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 57 and 84 together.

The provision of services for older people is a priority for Government. A commitment has been made to provide 860 additional public long-stay beds for older people under the Fast-Track Initiative and these are in the process of being put in place. By the end of 2008, 273 additional beds had been provided under the Public Fast-Track Initiative. A further 704 additional beds and 506 replacement beds will become operational during 2009. This includes beds being provided under the Capital Plan and beds being provided under the Fast-Track Initiative. These beds will be located throughout the country as follows: Planned Capacity

RegionAdditional BedsReplacement Beds
DML182188
DNE17367
South301207
West4844
Total704506

Pending the provision of permanent capacity as outlined above, the HSE has provided for 235 additional contract beds to alleviate delayed discharges pressure on the acute hospital system. As of 13th March, 220 of these beds had been filled. As the permanent capacity comes on stream, these contract beds will be phased out to ensure that overall provision remains in line with resources. The breakdown of these beds is as follows:

RegionNo. of Beds
DML75
DNE90
South60
West10
Total235

Finally, many people leaving acute hospitals do not require long-term care but may instead need a short period of convalescent or respite care.

Very significant residential respite care continues to be provided in public community nursing units (including community hospitals/long stay residential units) across the country. There are over 700 designated respite care beds provided nationally in these units. It is estimated that approximately 19,000 people benefit over the course of a full year — based on an average length of stay of 2 weeks per person. Public Residential Respite Care Beds by Area — November 2008

AreaNumber of Residential Respite Care BedsEstimated numbers benefiting per annum*
DML2185,668
DNE1664,316
South2035,278
West1513,926
Total73819,188
*Figures assume an average length of respite break amounting to 2 weeks per person.

This is a very significant resource which is relied upon by carers across the country and which will continue to be developed as additional public bed capacity is provided.

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