Séamus Kirk (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Question 614: To ask the Minister for Health if he has a strategy for intermediate care; the amount this plan will cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31923/12]

Séamus Kirk (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Question 616: To ask the Minister for Health the current and future plans for intermediate care; the amount this service costs; the number of people who potentially may use this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31925/12]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 614 and 616 together.

I am determined to address the issues which cause unacceptable delays in patients receiving treatment in our hospitals. In this regard I have established the Special Delivery Unit (SDU), which will work to unblock access to acute services by improving the flow of patients through the system, and by streamlining waiting lists, including the management of referrals from GPs by hospitals. The work of the SDU has demonstrated that we must change the way we manage frail elderly patients.

Therefore my Department has worked with the HSE on a new initiative to provide the frail older person with structured and coordinated care. The intention is to standardise the care pathway for this vulnerable group and to support them to remain at home for as long as possible (95% of older people reside at home currently).

This project represents an opportunity to improve quality of care for older people and their families and realise cost efficiencies across both acute and community care and improve integration as follows:

· Develop timely rapid access to specialist care when required, ideally in a day hospital.

· Have a coordinated care pathway to manage unplanned presentations, with no delays in Emergency Departments or Acute Medical Units and immediate access to specialist services if required.

· Establish coordinated links across the acute and community services. This is to avoid any unnecessary delays in the discharge process, to ensure that if the patient is assessed as suitable they will have access to rehabilitation and additional supports in the home. Referral and response times will be targeted and measured.

· Establish clear access to rehabilitation and, if the patient has been assessed as requiring long term care, transfer to a transitional care bed in the interim if necessary.

· Another aim of the project is the link with community groups and patient advocates.

Phase 1 of the project will involve patients in the Dublin area, Louth Meath Hospital Group, Naas Hospital and the corresponding community areas and it will be rolled out nationally shortly.

The model of care required has been developed by the clinical programme and the care pathway is clearly defined. Strong collaboration is critical to the delivery of these plans particularly in the increasingly challenging economic environment.

In respect of cost, the amount of funding being allocated to each site will be based on an independent gap analysis currently being finalised. All of the acute sites and areas will be carrying out re- designation of services and beds to achieve the project objectives. I am heartened that there is tremendous support from those working in the health system for this project and a keen interest in development of a better pathway for this very vulnerable group of patients. This is a very important initiative and while it is currently not possible to give a definite number of patients who will benefit from it, it is hoped that a significant number will do so.