Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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64. To ask the Minister for Health the measures being taken to alleviate overcrowding in Cork University Hospital in which the figures recorded in September 2019 were the worst recorded for September since an organisation (details supplied) commenced keeping records; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41225/19]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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According to provisional HSE TrolleyGAR data, there was a 36.5% increase in patients counted waiting on trolleys at 8am in Cork University Hospital ED for the year to date as of the end of September 2019 compared to the same period last year. In the month of September 2019, there were 789 patients counted on trolleys in Cork University Hospital, which was a 15.3% decrease compared to the previous month.

My Department is engaging extensively with the HSE this year to identify mitigating actions across the health service to bring down trolley numbers and waiting times in the ED in the face of growing demand.

Planning for winter 2019/20 has commenced and my Department is working with the HSE to finalise the Winter Plan in the coming weeks. Individual Community Healthcare Organisations (CHOs) and Hospital Groups are preparing Integrated Winter Plans that will focus on demand management and reduction, staffing availability, timely access to the most appropriate care pathway for patients as well as provide appropriate timely egress from acute hospitals. These Integrated Winter Plans will support the development of a single overarching strategic level Winter Plan for the HSE.

The Integrated Winter Plans for Cork University Hospital will be delivered by a Winter Action Team whose membership will include the CEO of South South West Hospital Group and the Chief Officer of Cork Kerry Community Healthcare.

The Health Service Capacity Review published last year highlighted the need for a major investment in additional capacity. An additional 40 beds have opened in Cork University Hospital since 2018, including 8 that opened in January as part of the Winter Plan 2018/2019.