Gino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance)
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713. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that during the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic there were at one point over 2,000 vacant beds in the hospital system due to the cancellation of elective procedures and the reduction in non-Covid hospital admissions; the reason for missed targets despite this spare capacity given patient experience times failed to meet targets in many instances and times for persons over 75 years of age grew in this period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3797/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The National Service Plan 2020 includes an activity target that 99% of patients aged 75 and over attending at an Emergency Department will be discharged or admitted within 24 hours and any breach of this target in respect of patients in this age cohort is regretted. There are a number of factors which may affect the waiting times for older patients. In particular, people in the over-75 age category presenting to EDs are more likely to have complex needs and require admission to hospital than the population generally.

In response to the Covid-19 pandemic the HSE had to take measures in 2020 to defer most scheduled care activity in March, April, and May. This was to ensure patient safety and that all appropriate resources were made available for Covid-19 related activity and time-critical essential work. This decision was in line with the advice issued by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) in accordance with the advice of the World Health Organisation.

The resumption of services from June onwards has allowed for increased activity, with the HSE utilising innovative methods including telemedicine to facilitate patient appointments. Patient safety remains at the forefront of service resumption.

This winter is particularly challenging due to the presence of Covid-19 and the uncertainty around the level of Covid-19 and non-Covid-19 healthcare demands. The HSE Winter Plan, supported by an additional €600m investment in health services, aims to reduce the number of patients waiting on trolleys for hospital admission and reduce Emergency Department waiting times while ensuring that patients and staff alike are protected in the Covid-19 environment.

There are specific supports in the Winter Plan for those at greater risk including older people, the homeless, and people with chronic illnesses, facilitated through additional Community Healthcare Networks, Community Specialist Teams, and Frailty Intervention Therapy Teams operating within acute hospital EDs. These measures will create the foundation and organisational structure through which integrated care will be provided locally within the community at the appropriate level of complexity.

In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Gino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance)
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714. To ask the Minister for Health his views and the data and on the way in which cancellations and reduced attendance at hospital affected health outcomes of patients generally and specifically in the case of persons over 65 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3798/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I fully acknowledge the distress and inconvenience for patients and their families when elective procedures are cancelled, particularly for clinically urgent procedures. While every effort is made to avoid cancellation or postponement of planned procedures, the HSE has advised that planned procedures and operations can be postponed or cancelled for a variety of reasons including capacity issues due to increased scheduled and unscheduled care demand.

Patient safety remains at the centre of all hospital activity and elective care scheduling. To ensure services are provided in a safe, clinically-aligned and prioritised way, hospitals are following HSE clinical guidelines and protocols.

In relation to the particular query raised regarding the health outcomes of patients, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.