Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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As our health system faces into what is traditionally the most challenging periods of the year, I would like to assure the deputy that every measure is being taken to ensure the smooth running of our hospitals. The third iteration of the UEC Operational Plan is currently in operation and one of the 4 pillars of the plan is hospital avoidance. This focuses on supporting patients in settings other than the Emergency Department and avoiding the need for inpatient care.

Amongst the initiatives involved in the plan are:

• Vaccine Preventable Illness, promote uptake of Influenza, Measles and COVID-19 vaccinations to improve compliance for all target groups including Healthcare Workers Specialist Care in the Community
• Community Specialist Teams (CSTs) for Chronic Disease Management.
• GP Out of Hours Work with GP Out of Hours Services to maintain/increase GP OOH contacts and reduce the level of GP OOH referrals to EDs
• NAS Care Pathways Maximise usage of existing NAS alternative care pathways
• Injury Units to provide a 7-day service, 8am to 8pm including Bank Holidays

Mask wearing is just one of the measures we can all take to protect ourselves from infection this winter. Individuals who wish to wear a mask should not be discouraged from doing so, in particular when disease incidence is high. Measures such as vaccinations, good hand hygiene and cough and sneeze etiquette are also important in preventing the spread of infections.

This winter COVID-19 and Flu Vaccines are available to eligible individuals by GPs and pharmacists.

The immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The National Vaccination Programme ensures that those most vulnerable in the winter months have access to the required vaccines, free of charge. By providing vaccination to those most at risk, and those most likely to require admission to hospital should they become ill, the programme aims to prevent, as far as possible, the need for seasonal-related hospital admissions, as well as to reduce the overall spread of these viruses in the community.

Expansion of community care and other measures to provide people the care they need outside of the ED can improve patient flow in acute hospitals by reducing unnecessary attendances and improving discharge supports such as home support and residential care. This will allow our ED resources to be better utilised, delivering care to those most urgently in need.