Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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271. To ask the Minister for Health the steps he will take to alleviate the problem of overcrowding at general hospitals throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21093/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Since the start of 2017 there have been approximately 6.3% less patients waiting on trolleys nationally compared to the same period last year.

In September the HSE launched its ‘Winter Initiative Plan 2016-2017’ which provided €40 million of additional funding for winter preparedness. This Initiative was developed to manage the expected winter surge in demand for hospital care in an integrated way across Primary, Acute and Social Care. This Initiative concluded in March.

A range of practical measures to address ED overcrowding were implemented, including 90 additional beds, aids and appliances for over 4,450 patients, around 1,000 extra homecare packages and 615 additional transitional care bed approvals.

During the Winter Initiative, delayed discharges reduced from 638 in September 2016 to a low of 434 at the end of December and were maintained below 500 from mid-December through to end February. This had a positive impact on ED overcrowding and trolley numbers, in freeing up beds for use by patients awaiting admission to hospital.

I can assure the Deputy that there continues to be a very strong focus on reducing ED overcrowding. My Department and the HSE are currently engaged in a process to commence winter planning for next year and to achieve an improvement trajectory in ED performance.

The HSE's Special Delivery Unit continues to work closely with hospitals to identify improvements that can be made to support patient flow, reduce trolley numbers and improve patients' ED experience