In recent years my Department has allocated significant additional funding to hospitals providing accident and emergency services, particularly in the eastern region. I have provided additional funding of £2 million in the current year to enable hospitals to continue to implement various initiatives aimed at addressing difficulties experienced in their accident and emergency departments, particularly during periods of peak demand. These initiatives include measures to free up beds for emergency admissions through the provision of alternative step-down facilities for patients occupying beds in acute hospitals for lengthy periods. They allow for the provision of enhanced staffing levels, the development of rapid diagnostic systems for common emergency presentations, continued development of treatment-observation areas in accident and emergency departments and an improved access for general practitioners to urgent specialist opinion.
As the Deputy will be aware responsibility for the provision of health and social services, which includes accident and emergency services, in the eastern region now rests with the Eastern Regional Health Authority. I understand that the authority has established a dedicated team to examine in detail the existing accident and emergency services in the eastern region as a whole, including paediatric accident and emergency services, and to bring forward a comprehensive policy on the development of accident and emergency services in the region generally.
The team will review issues affecting accident and emergency services in terms of the principles of access, timeliness, appropriateness and quality. It will seek to ensure patients presenting at accident and emergency departments within the eastern region have access to an appropriate service that deals with their needs in a timely and comprehensive manner.