Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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52. To ask the Minister for Health his views on figures from an organisation (details supplied) which indicate that the number of patients on trolleys in St. Vincent's Hospital in May 2018 was higher than in November 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28303/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, my Department uses validated data from the HSE TrolleyGAR system to monitor the trolley situation in our Emergency Departments (EDs). This data is available from the HSE website.

However, the INMO independently collate data on trolleys and wards beds. The INMO Trolley and Ward Watch figures are available at the INMO website.

The HSE TrolleyGAR data is collected each day at 8am every day of the week, while INMO data is collected at 11am but not on Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays.

In relation to St Vincent's Hospital, according to figures from the HSE TrolleyGAR system, a total of 437 trolleys were recorded in May 2018, as compared with 257 in November 2017, a rise of 41%. This increase reflects a significant rise in attendances of almost 20% and admissions of almost 12% by patients aged over 75 at St Vincent's Hospital during May 2018, as compared with the same period last year.

It is simply unacceptable that patients have to wait on trolleys for long periods of time, especially those who may be elderly and vulnerable. Behind every “trolley number” there is a patient in need of effective, timely and compassionate care from our health service.  That is why this Government is committed to breaking the cycle of overcrowding in our health service.

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. My Department has received proposals from the HSE in this regard, which are currently under consideration.

In addition, a review of the Winter Initiative 2017/2018 is currently being finalised by the HSE, which will inform a 3-year plan for unscheduled care, as well as supporting the provision of additional capacity in Winter 2018/19.

Finally, Minister Daly, who has special responsibility for Mental Health and Older People at my Department, has established a Working Group to undertake an independent expert review of delayed discharges, which can impact on patient flow and ED performance.   This Group is due to report back to him by the end of August 2018 with interim recommendations and a final report with full recommendations and an implementation plan by the end of September 2018.