Our Health is Our Wealth – Time to invest in electronic health records nationally, MAUs and LIUs at Tier 2 Hospitals, and Medical Officers at Nursing Homes  

That Dáil Éireann:

recognises that:

–  University Hospital Limerick was the most overcrowded hospital in the country (18,028) followed by Cork University Hospital (12,439), University Hospital Galway (10,150), Sligo University Hospital (8,136) and St Vincent’s University Hospital (7,513); and

–   67,000 patients waited at least a day in their Emergency Departments before being admitted during 2022.

–  584,600 patients were waiting at the end of 222 to be seen at an outpatient clinic for the first time by a consultant; and

– Waiting list numbers reduced by 4% in 2022, significantly lower than the government’s waiting list reduction target of 18% for the year.

– Ireland remains a laggard in Europe for digitisation in the health system and the introduction of electronic health records

            – the use of such technology could significantly reduce triage times in emergency departments

– There remains a lack of a specific national structure or control for clinical oversight of the care of people admitted to nursing homes and they have difficulty accessing treatment by primary care teams

– the lack of such oversight and care can result in unnecessary presentations at Emergency Departments

acknowledges:

• The creation of an additional 7,176 patient slots per year across the UL Hospitals Group following the recent introduction of a seven-day service at MAU’s in Nenagh and St. John’s;
• The ongoing recruitment by UL Hospitals Group for additional doctors, nurses, health and social care professionals and administrative staff; and
• The changing of HSE protocols to allow non-emergency department doctors assess patients in the ED where there is a significant risk due to delay.
• The Government allocating €350m under the Waiting List Plan in 2022 to reduce active waiting lists.
• The European Investment Bank loaned the State €200 million to implement electronic health records more than three years ago
• On 14 May 2021, the HSE was the subject of a major ransomware cyberattack, the most significant cybercrime attack on any Irish state agency and the largest known attack against a health service computer system.
• Local Injury Units (LIU) deliver efficient, expert treatment to tens of thousands of patients with minor injuries every year and have been of crucial assistance in relieving pressure on Emergency Departments during the pandemic.
• Medical Assessment Units (MAU) play an integral role in Emergency Department avoidance, providing a vital and timely service to GPs and patients; with approximately 10% of MAU cases may require admission to the hospital, and the majority will be discharged, with a follow-up review in the unit within 48 hours.

calls on the Government to:

• Expand Medical Assessment Units (MAU) at Tier 2 hospitals to 24-hours, 7-days-a-week;
• Expand Local Injuries Unit (LIU) at Tier 2 hospitals to 24-hours, 7-days-a-week
• Appoint a designated medical officer in every nursing home and ensure that patients in nursing homes can access treatment by primary care teams
• Procure or deliver an electronic health system to replace paper-based health records without further delay.