Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly is bringing the Health Service Executive’s Winter Plan to Cabinet today, with the objective of boosting capacity in public hospitals while also using services in the private sector.
The HSE will provide individual plans to each of Ireland’s 29 emergency departments in order to prepare them for the winter months.
The projected expenditure is understood to be €168m, although much of it is already included within existing allocations.
It will see an additional 600 healthcare staff hired, including 51 emergency department consultants.
Minister Donnelly has said they want to take a “hands-on” approach.
“It’s a big plan, it’s nearly €170 million. It includes over 600 healthcare professionals, I’ve asked the HSE to come up with a plan for each of our 29 emergency departments to look at not just what is needed nationally, but what is required for each individual emergency department.” Minister said.