Lisa Chambers (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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130. To ask the Minister for Health when the modular unit that was promised two years ago for Mayo University Hospital's emergency department will be built; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40406/18]

Lisa Chambers (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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133. To ask the Minister for Health his plans for both the present and future of Mayo University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40409/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 130 and 133 together.

As Minister for Health, I am committed to continuing the effort to address overcrowding in our EDs, and in particular, improving the capacity of the system to respond during periods of peak demand. My Department has engaged with the HSE this year 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. The proposal from the HSE to increase acute and community bed capacity includes 20 additional in-patient beds in Mayo University Hospital to be delivered through a modular build programme. This proposal is currently under consideration by my Department.

Reducing waiting time for patients for hospital operations and procedures is a key priority for the Government and €50 million was provided to the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) in 2018 to secure treatment for patients. The Inpatient/Day Case Action Plan, published last April outlines the combined impact of HSE and NTPF activity in 2018.

This year, Mayo University Hospital have submitted proposals to the National Treatment Purchase Fund to facilitate the provision of treatment for long waiting Inpatient/Daycase patients.

In addition, in order to address the issue of growing outpatient waiting list numbers, my Department, the HSE and the NTPF are in the process of finalising an Outpatient Action Plan for the remainder of 2018. This plan will support the HSE’s compliance with its National Service Plan targets, reduce the growth in the number of patients waiting for outpatient services, improve the accuracy of the waiting list, and trial a number of NTPF funded interventions, including weekend and out of hours clinics.