Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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44. To ask the Minister for Health the reason 291 persons over 75 years of age waited more than 24 hours in the emergency department of University Hospital Limerick during the first two months of 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17048/18]

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. In relation to Limerick, in the first quarter of 2018, attendances rose by 11.6% and admissions rose by 10.8%, with a steep rise of 16.4% in attendances and 21% in admissions by those in the over 75 age group.

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 relation to the specific question asked regarding waiting times in UHL ED, as this is a service matter I have referred it to the HSE for a direct response.