Health chief warns winter will be 'more difficult' than ever before as HSE launches plan

The Health Services Executive (HSE) has released details of its Winter Plan for 2020-2021 with its chief executive warning this winter will be "more difficult" than ever before due to the threat of Coronavirus and is urging the public to play their part and not to "become complacent".

Speaking today, Paul Reid said: “This winter is going to be more difficult than any we’ve ever faced before. We are living with COVID-19, we are living differently, however we have planned differently and we have to take confidence in our Winter Plan. By ensuring agility and innovative healthcare measures, we can prioritise the health and wellbeing of our staff and the public, through the provision of healthcare pathways in the community and in our hospitals.

"I am asking the public to follow the public health advice, the worst thing we can do is to get complacent. I am also asking those within the priority groups to ensure they get the flu vaccine and give themselves the best opportunity to stay well this winter.”

This year, the Winter Plan has been developed within the context of delivering essential healthcare in a COVID-19 environment. A range of initiatives will be undertaken to support this work, which will aim to enhance community capacity and decrease acute hospital demand.

Through the prioritisation of Primary Care and Community Services, the HSE is aiming to advance the goals of Sláintecare and mitigate the impact of Coronavirus on the service.

This plan, which is supported by the allocation of an additional €600m, seeks to support improved patient care in hospitals and in the community while keeping our staff and those who use our services safe in the midst of a global pandemic. Key initiatives within the Winter Plan include:

Additional acute bed capacity;

Additional home support packages;

Additional HSE procured private bed capacity;

Additional intermediate care beds, proposals for acute hospital egress; and

Additional Community Healthcare Networks, Community Specialist Teams (Older Persons and Chronic Disease).

Also speaking today, Anne O'Connor, HSE Chief Operations Officer said: “For the forthcoming winter period, we are focusing on the resumption of health services, while preparing for the expected pressures associated with winter and delivering services in the context of the continuing presence of COVID-19. Guidance, new processes, and infrastructure, will be critical to supporting the resumption of service delivery.

"In addition, a Community First approach to the delivery of care will be central to delivering safe, efficient and effective services through winter and beyond. Service delivery will be re-oriented towards general practice, primary care and community-based services.”

Key initiatives within The Winter Plan:

It is proposed to open an additional 251 acute beds and 89 Sub Acute beds in Q4 2020 and an additional 232 acute beds in Q1 2021.

The ongoing provision of COVID-19 Community Assessment Hubs and the extension of these to incorporate the treatment of acute respiratory illness via Acute Respiratory Assessment & Treatment Hubs.

There are currently 7 Community Assessment Hubs operation within 5 Community Healthcare Organisations with a further 3 on standby to open should demand increase. The plan is to have 20 hubs in total available from January to March.