Written answers
Tuesday, 28 May 2019
Department of Health
Emergency Departments Waiting Times
Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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269. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons aged 75 years of age and over who experienced an emergency department wait time of more than 24 hours in the first quarter of 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22608/19]
Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The hospital system is currently operating at close to full capacity. The number of patients attending Emergency Departments continues to increase year on year, with approximately 1.3 million attendances in 2018, up 3.5% on 2017. This reflects increasing demand for unscheduled care, especially by patients in the 75 years and over age group. Patients in this age group are the highest users of most health and social care services, have more complex needs and longer stays in our acute hospitals.
The National Service Plan 2019 includes an expected activity target that 99% of patients aged 75 and over are discharged or admitted within 24 hours of registration. Any breach of this target in respect of patients in this age cohort is unacceptable.
I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly with the specific information requested.
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