Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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178. To ask the Minister for Health his views on conditions at a hospital (details supplied) in Dublin 9; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2004/15]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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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.

Beaumont Hospital acknowledges and regrets the difficult conditions experienced by patients and staff at its Emergency Department, which provides services to over 50,000 patients each year, many of whom are older and have complex care requirements. As well as contributing to high levels of ED admissions, these factors can present difficulties in discharging such patients to home or other appropriate care settings. In addition, changes in service provision (e.g. cancer services) have increased the general patient attendance at Beaumont, placing additional pressures on bed capacity.

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. Beaumont Hospital has undertaken a number of initiatives to improve the patient pathway both through the ED and the hospital, in addition to working closely with the community. All available bed capacity is open and off-site capacity is also being utilised. Elective surgeries (with the exception of cancer cases) have been cancelled for this week and this option is being kept under constant review. With regard to nursing shortages, Beaumont Hospital is working with other major hospitals to initiate an overseas recruitment campaign to help meet their needs for nursing staff. The HSE would encourage patients to contact their GPs in the first instance where they can be directed appropriately to services such as rapid access clinics, day hospital services for older people and acute medical assessment units, as appropriate.

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.