Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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259. To ask the Minister for Health the most effective and immediate action that can be taken to alleviate overcrowding in emergency departments nationally; if an analysis has been carried out with a view to identifying the capacity and demand at all accident and emergency units; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17351/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Against a background of growing demand for unscheduled care and high acute hospital occupancy rates, Government provided €30 million in 2017 and a further €40 million in 2018 for measures to increase acute hospital capacity and alleviate overcrowding in Emergency Departments.  Almost 50% of this funding was used to deliver home support packages and transitional care beds to reduce the incidence of delayed discharges.  Furthermore, over 200 beds have been opened this winter and more beds are due to come on stream later in the year.

Notwithstanding the increased level of resources provided, this winter has been particularly difficult for our health services with ED attendances up 3.7% and admissions up 3.3% during the first quarter of the year, as compared to the same period in 2017.

The situation was further exacerbated by Storm Emma and the severe weather that followed.  In response to this, I approved a further €5m in emergency funding to provide additional home support packages and transitional care beds to assist the safe discharge of patients who required support to return home following the adverse weather.

In the light of the conclusions of the Health Service Capacity Review that the system will need nearly 2,600 additional acute hospital beds by 2031, I have asked my Department to work with the HSE to identify the location and mix of beds across the hospital system which can be opened and staffed this year and into 2019 in order to improve preparedness for Winter 2018/2019.

As outlined in the Capacity Review, the demographic pressures being experienced by the health service are such as to demand not just additional capacity but continued emphasis on health and wellbeing initiatives, an improved model of care with a stronger role for enhanced community based services and continued improvement in productivity including in acute hospitals.  The Government has approved a record level of capital investment in health at €10.9 billion over the next ten years.  This will provide for a major enhancement of the capacity of our health services to meet demand.  Importantly, the accelerated introduction of additional capacity for 2018/2019 will be matched by forthcoming reforms including the publication of a detailed Sláintecare Implementation Plan and the overhaul of the current GP contract.

Finally, a review of the Winter Initiative 2017/2018 is being undertaken, which will inform a 3 year plan for unscheduled care, as well as supporting the provision of additional capacity in Winter 2018/19.