Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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15. To ask the Minister for Health the steps he will take to address the serious issue of overcrowding at various general hospitals throughout the country including Naas General Hospital with particular reference to identifying specific measures applicable to individual cases whereby remedies such as the utilisation of appropriate space for emergency beds/trollies other than in hospital corridors may be utilised thereby ensuring reasonable working conditions in compliance with health and safety standards for patients and staff in all situations; if he will identify currently unused or previously decommissioned wards/beds within the hospital system which may if re-commissioned help alleviate the immediate problems; the total number of step down beds available throughout the public health sector; the extent to which the number of such beds has fluctuated over the past ten years; if he will take specific measures to address these immediate and pressing issues and at the same time identify short to medium term solutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2369/15]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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ED Overcrowding is a priority issue for me and for the government. All hospitals, including Naas General Hospital, 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.

The recent provision of Community Intervention services for Naas General Hospital, in particular the provision of IV Antibiotic therapy in patients homes, has avoided approximately 89 admissions to the hospital since service commenced in the last two weeks. In addition, the HSE is developing a substantial infrastructure project at Naas General Hospital which includes an endoscopy unit, oncology unit and physical medicine department. It is anticipated that construction will commence in the second half of 2015, subject to the awarding of planning permission.

The total number of beds available as of October 2014 is 12,483. However, these are beds available at a particular date in time and this number can fluctuate over time due to reasons such as ongoing refurbishment and maintenance work. The total number of step down beds in public residential units as of end December 2014 is 1,869. However it should be noted that vacant nursing home beds are not always located where needed. The Government has provided additional funding of €3 million in 2014 and €25 million in 2015 to address delayed discharges and 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.

I convened the Emergency Department Taskforce last month 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 a second meeting last week, the HSE is working on an action plan to be finalised by the end of the month to specifically address ED issues with a view to a significant reduction in trolley waits over the course of 2015.