Lisa Chambers (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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108. To ask the Minister for Health if prefabs will be used to provide additional capacity at Mayo University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12094/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The HSE has put in place a National Framework for the provision of temporary alternative accommodation, as just one part of a broad range of measures undertaken under the Winter Initiative Plan 2016-2017. Under the Framework, consideration will also be given to managed temporary patient accommodation solutions which are staffed. The HSE advises that the next stage will be for a mini-tender to be coordinated in the coming weeks to request proposals in relation to temporary patient accommodation solutions.

Decisions in relation to the opening of temporary alternative accommodation in specific locations and information on associated costs will be made based on the outcome of this procurement process and the submissions made by Hospitals and Hospital Groups.

With regard to the ED at Mayo University Hospital, it was designed to accommodate approximately 25,000 patients per annum. Emergency presentations now number approximately 37,000.

In light of the ED escalation process, the Hospital has used its Acute Medical Assessment Unit (AMAU) for admitted patients awaiting a bed; this has impacted on effective patient flow.

Given the incremental increases in ED attendances since the time of construction, Mayo University Hospital has raised the issue of additional capacity, to manage both unscheduled and scheduled care effectively.

The HSE advises that Mayo University Hospital has put forward a short term proposal regarding the procurement of a modular unit through the National Framework, to expand capacity in order to facilitate effective functioning of the AMAU.

With regard to ED performance, patient experience times and trolley numbers at Mayo University Hospital ED were better than the national average during 2016.