Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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151. To ask the Minister for Health to set out his plans to address the issue of delayed discharge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42730/14]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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There has been a continuing upward trend in delayed discharges since the beginning of the year. "Delayed Discharges" arise when patients in acute hospitals have finished the acute stage of their treatment but require alternative arrangements to facilitate their discharge. The occupancy of in-patient acute hospital beds by patients who no longer require acute care also has a significant impact on people awaiting emergency or other in-patient or day case treatment.

While there will always be delayed discharges, current levels are resulting in more people on trolleys and more people having their elective admissions or surgery cancelled. As at 4th November 2014, there were 785 Delayed Discharges in acute hospitals nationally, 437 being in the Dublin Academic Teaching Hospitals. The occupancy of in-patient acute hospital beds by patients who no longer require acute care has a significant impact on others awaiting emergency or other in-patient or day case treatment.

The Government has provided additional funding of €25 million in 2015 to address delayed discharges. This funding will be targeted at hospital and community services which can demonstrate initiatives to address the specific needs of delayed discharge patients most positively, and therefore improve timelines for admissions from Emergency Departments and waiting lists. These will include measures to place patients in more appropriate settings through the use of home care packages and intermediate and long-term care. It will include provision for an increased allocation to the Nursing Homes Support Scheme. Planning for this initiative is well advanced. Details will be finalised in the HSE's Service Plan later this month, with a view to their early implementation.