John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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87. To ask the Minister for Health the reason for the substantial increase in overcrowding in the emergency department in St. Luke's Hospital, Kilkenny over the first four months of 2018 relative to the same period in 2017. [23539/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Under the Winter Initiative, over 200 additional beds opened this winter across a range of sites, including 14 additional beds in St. Luke's General Hospital Kilkenny.  In addition, St. Luke's General Hospital Kilkenny was supported over the recent winter months with additional home support packages and transitional care beds in order to reduce delayed discharges, which can impact on patient flow and contribute to Emergency Department (ED) congestion.

In the context of a difficult winter for our health services, further compounded by Storm Emma, the first 4 months of the year saw a rise of 13.9% of patients on trolleys nationally, as compared to the same period in 2017.  This increase reflects a rise in  demand for unscheduled care across the hospital system, characterised by increased attendances and admissions, in particular, of those in the over 75 age group.

In relation St Luke’s Hospital Kilkenny, the first 4 months of the year saw a decrease in trolley number of 16.9%,  301 less trolleys, than the same period last year.This was against a background of:-

- a 2.1% increase in overall ED attendances;

- a 2.7% increase in ED attendances of people over 75 years of age;

- an increase of 11.8% in ED admissions; and

- an increase of 12.2% in ED admissions of those over 75.

Within an overall situation that remains very challenging,  I welcome the reduction in trolley numbers achieved by St Luke's General Hospital Kilkenny and that we are beginning to see the impact of winter initiatives to relieve ED congestion.

As Minister for Health, I am committed to continuing the effort to address overcrowding in our Emergency Departments and, in particular, the capacity of the system to respond during periods of peak demand.In this context,  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.  Proposals received from the HSE in this regard are currently under consideration by my Department.