Galway University Hospital, Portiuncula University Hospital and Community Healthcare West are implementing further initiatives this winter to promote patient flow.
They will maximise the use of the resources that are available to manage unscheduled care pressure and improve patients’ journeys.
The initiatives identified for this winter are related to admission avoidance and patient flow.
Tony Canavan, CEO Saolta University Health Care Group, said the joint winter plan allocation will increase access for patients to a wider range of services in the community, decreasing demand on acute facilities.
He said these measures will ensure they can provide the best possible support to the population in the coming months.
“Ultimately, reducing long waiting times in our EDs will require more beds in our acute hospitals and in community units and the teams necessary to staff them safely,” said Tony.
“This plan improves upon already established resources, and provides opportunities for improvement. Through collaboration between disciplines and services we can promote optimal patient care closer to home.”
Breda Crehan Roche, Chief Officer, Community Healthcare West, said CHW will continue to provide supports, through available national funds to support admission avoidance including Community Intervention Teams, Home Support, Aids and Appliances, GP Access to Diagnostics and GP Out of Hours.
“Investment has been received for the recruitment of a GP Liaison Nurse to facilitate admission avoidance.
“These measures will ensure the continued development of community services and the growth in care to people at home or in community-based HSE facilities so they don’t have to be admitted to hospital unless they really need to be.”
