Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 December 2025
761. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health to outline the measures she is taking to address hospital overcrowding at the accident and emergency department in University Hospital Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73794/25]
View answerAs 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 that overcrowding is kept to a minimum in Kerry University Hospital and all 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.
In addition to these measures the HSE has made provisions to bolster GP services with the addition of 20,000 hours available through the GP Surgery Enhanced Service to target respiratory issues which will run from December 8th to February 15th inclusive.
Mask wearing is just one of the measures we can all take to protect ourselves from infection this winter and lessen the pressures on our EDs. 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.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.
