Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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612. To ask the Minister for Health his views on the Health Service Executive's escalation policy, specifically on the issue of the cancellation of operating lists to accommodate emergency departments despite the fact that these freed-up beds cannot be used for patients on trolleys because the patients on trolleys could present a risk of infections for post-operative patients already on the ward. [7211/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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In November 2015, in conjunction with the HSE Director General, I issued a National Emergency Department Escalation Framework to hospitals, on how best to manage hospital capacity and patient flow through the hospital at times when there is a surge in demand for emergency care.

At times of surge, when there is significant demand for emergency care, the Escalation Framework envisages that hospitals consider cancelling non-urgent elective procedures.

At Levels 1 and 2 of escalation, the cancellation of elective procedures is undertaken at the discretion of the hospital management, in consultation with the relevant consultant. However once level 3 escalation measures are put in place, available elective medical and nursing staff are redeployed to treat admissions through ED wherever possible, with potential knock-on effects on the staffing of elective wards. It is a matter for each hospital to manage its bed capacity, having regard for the needs of patients and appropriate infection control measures.

As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. 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.