Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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101. To ask the Minister for Health how the emergency department escalation policy has impacted on elective surgeries, where there are empty beds in surgical wards deemed unsuitable for emergency department patients due to the risk to infection control; the logic of this policy in these circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13685/16]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Escalation Framework was issued to hospitals in December 2015. It advises hospitals on how best to manage patient flow when there is a surge in demand for emergency care. Central to this approach is that hospitals should avoid the need for escalation where possible, by improving systems and planning.

When necessary, escalated responses are delivered in three stages. It is only at Stage 3 of escalation, where all hospital admissions occur through the ED, that cancellation of all elective surgeries is considered. At Stage 3, because of the pressure for emergency care, the hospital must consider redeploying available medical and nursing staff to facilitate patient flow through the hospital.

Decisions on admissions are taken by hospitals having regard to safe operating limits of the hospital as a whole. At Stage 3, it may not be clinically appropriate for post-operative elective patients to be assigned to beds, even if empty, due to infection control or staffing reasons.

The HSE Special Delivery Unit has conducted reviews at a number of hospitals to date, in order to ensure appropriate implementation of the Escalation Framework.

A number of initiatives are being implemented to reduce ED overcrowding. Under the Winter Additional Capacity Initiative a total of 366 new or re-opened beds have been made available. The Programme for a Partnership Government has also committed to progress new ED facilities for Galway and Beaumont Hospitals.

Further, a review of bed capacity, coupled with the review of the hours of service of Medical Assessment Units are further key commitments of the Programme intended to alleviate ED overcrowding.