Frank O'Rourke (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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596. To ask the Minister for Health the policy his Department and the Health Service Executive are pursuing to support Naas Hospital in the provision of its emergency services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22104/16]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Since the beginning of July, the HSE has reported trolley numbers above those noted for the equivalent period last year. I have been advised by the HSE that recent increases can be partially attributed to summer leave, the medical rotation changeover, which occurs in early July each year, seasonal increases in elective procedures and an increased number of delayed discharges. Many hospitals have also reported a sustained increase in attendances for this time of year.

It is expected that seasonal pressures on EDs will naturally recede by September. The pressure on EDs caused by delayed discharges should also reduce shortly, given additional funding of €500m from the Supplementary estimates and Winter Initiative, which was recently passed in the Dail and will be provided to the HSE shortly. The HSE has advised that efforts to expand home help and home care packages should result in additional capacity within a month, while will assist hospitals in the timely discharge of patients.

I also met with the Director General of the HSE on Friday 15 July to express my concerns to the HSE about the recent rise in numbers of patients on trolleys and possible future measures to address trolley numbers. Actions discussed include the expansion of frail elderly pathways, expansion of community diagnostics and day hospital capacity, maintenance of SDU oversight of performance and improved management of capacity in response to surges in demand.

I am confident that these measures, in addition to the additional funding provided to the HSE will support hospitals, including Naas General Hospital in the provision of their emergency service.