Written answers

Wednesday, 14 January 2015

Department of Health

Accident and Emergency Department Waiting Times

Photo of Fergus O'DowdFergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

616. To ask the Minister for Health the actions that will be taken by the Health Service Executive to reduce the high number of patients on trolleys in accident and emergency and awaiting admission to the Lourdes hospital, Drogheda, County Louth; the actions that will be taken to prevent this situation arising again in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1164/15]

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Department of Health and Health Service Executive regard trolley waits as unacceptable and acknowledge the difficulties which the current surge in ED activity is causing for patients, their families and the staff who are doing their utmost to provide safe, quality care in very challenging circumstances. It is anticipated that the figures will continue to fluctuate, but the collaborative arrangements now in place with the professional bodies and management are having an impact. All hospitals have escalation plans to manage not only patient flow but also patient safety in a responsive, controlled and planned way that supports and ensures the delivery of optimum patient care.

Triage is operated to prioritise patients so that those with most acute needs are seen and treated as soon as possible. Hospital EDs seek to manage any possible risks for patients so as to minimise any safety issues and keep risk to an absolute minimum in what are very difficult circumstances in many EDs at present. Senior clinicians are part of this system and the responsibility to minimise potential risk and ensure the safest possible care is a responsibility they deal with as part of their duties every day in hospitals.

Measures to manage ED surges involve the full health system including primary, community and continuing care services to ensure that all available capacity and options are utilised and brought to bear on the situation. HSE have advised that at present:

- Additional beds to cope with surge pressures are open

- All non-urgent elective procedures have been cancelled but urgent and cancer surgeries will continue

- Day surgery facilities are in use to provide additional capacity for overflow purposes

- Ambulance bypass cover arrangements will be invoked in exceptional circumstances and with the prior agreement of the Group CEO and participating hospitals

- The role of consultant doctors in terms of ensuring additional ward rounds and patient transfers has been emphasised with the aim of discharging patients as soon as they are fit and well enough to go home or to other care facilities.

- The use of additional capacity in non-acute hospitals, particularly to provide rehabilitation care, is being expedited where possible (e.g. St. Lukes / Cappagh / Navan)

The Government has provided additional funding of €25 million in 2015 to address delayed discharges. This funding is being targeted at hospital and community services which can demonstrate initiatives to address specific needs of delayed discharge patients most positively and therefore improve timeliness for admissions from Emergency Departments and waiting lists.

As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to the situation at Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.

Photo of Michael Healy-RaeMichael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

617. To ask the Minister for Health the number of accident and emergency patients waiting on trolleys in hospitals here on 5 January 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1166/15]

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Government regards trolley waits of over 9 hours as unacceptable and acknowledges the difficulties which the current surge in ED activity is causing for patients, their families and the staff who are doing their utmost to provide safe, quality care in very challenging circumstances.

On 5 January 2015 there were 445 patients on trolleys in Emergency Departments according to the INMO website which also shows 118 patients on wards. However, TrolleyGAR figures collated at 2pm indicated that this number had reduced to 317 and by 8pm the number had further reduced to 272 due to the active intervention of staff both within hospitals and in primary and community care services.

All hospitals have escalation plans to manage not only patient flow but also patient safety in a responsive, controlled and planned way that supports and ensures the delivery of optimum patient care. These plans include the opening of additional overflow areas, reopening of closed beds, provision of additional diagnostic scans and Consultants doing additional ward rounds to improve the appropriate flow of patients through the hospital system. Other actions being taken include the provision of additional home care packages, additional transition beds in nursing homes, 300 additional Fair Deal places and an extension in Community Intervention Teams.

The Government has provided additional funding of €3 million in 2014 and €25 million in 2015 to address delayed discharges. This funding is being targeted at hospital and community services which can demonstrate initiatives to address specific needs of delayed discharge patients most positively and therefore improve timeliness for admissions from Emergency Departments and waiting lists.

The Minister convened the Emergency Department Taskforce to find long term solutions to overcrowding by providing additional focus and momentum in dealing with the challenges presented by the current trolley waits. Following an initial meeting in December, the HSE is working on an action plan to be finalised by the end of January to specifically address ED issues with a view to a significant reduction in trolley waits over the course of 2015.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.