Retrofitting homes of those with chronic medical problems is ‘no

TD Denis Naughten believes targeted retrofitting for those with chronic respiratory illnesses could help ease hospital overcrowding. Photo: Gareth Chaney/Collins

Priority for patients with chronic medical conditions in the retrofitting of homes is a "no-brainer" that would sharply reduce demand on health services and hospital beds, according to former minister Denis Naughten.

The move would have the same effect as building another major hospital – but with no additional cost, he said.

It would mean keeping the vulnerable warm and protected from infection in the first place, minimising the chances of their developing life-threatening respiratory infections, says the former minister who is an Independent TD.

He said such priority would help to ease the pressure in hospitals, particularly during the winter months.

"If the retrofitting of homes reduced hospital stays by the elderly and vulnerable with respiratory diseases to the same level as that of other patients, it would release up to 700 beds," said Mr Naughten.

"That is the equivalent of the whole Mater Hospital in Dublin, and a powerful reason why we must do it."

New research by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine has found that retrofitting the homes of people with chronic respiratory disease would have a number of benefits.

It would reduce their usage of GPs, emergency departments and hospital services as well as significantly cutting the volume of prescribed drugs.

"This is a significant outcome due to the fact that respiratory consultations made up 15pc of all GP attendances before the pandemic," Mr Naughten said. "As a result, any improvement in the health of people with chronic respiratory disease will help to ease the pressure on our overwhelmed GP service right across the country – benefiting everyone else."

Two of the key underlying respiratory conditions adding to acute hospital demand are asthma – a condition affecting one in five children in Ireland – and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which is experienced by one in 13 adults.

"Even more significant is the fact that before the pandemic respiratory diseases accounted for less than 6pc of patients in our hospitals, yet they accounted for more than 12pc of the bed days – one in eight," said Mr Naughten.

"An improvement in the health of people with respiratory illness will have a significantly positive impact on the number of beds available in our hospitals for everyone.

"If retrofitting homes for vulnerable people reduced their hospital stays to that of other patients this would release up to 700 beds, but while Government has already committed to a significant ramping up of the retrofitting of homes, there is no targeted investment in the homes of people with respiratory illnesses," he said.

The Better Energy Warmer Homes scheme for families in fuel poverty currently has a waiting list of nearly three years.

"Investment in the retrofitting of homes also has other benefits, with the research pointing to homeowners reporting improved well-being in terms of mobility, self-care, pain, anxiety and depression," he added.