I propose to take Questions Nos. 23 and 73 together.
Services at St. James's Hospital are provided under an arrangement with the Eastern Regional Health Authority.
The report referred to by the Deputies, which was commissioned by the authority at my request to examine the delivery of accident and emergency services at St. James's Hospital, was prompted by the death of a patient in the accident and emergency department of that hospital who had presented there for care and treatment.
The report, a copy of which I received in late December 2000 recommended, inter alia, the appointment of patient liaison personnel to the accident and emergency departments of hospitals providing such services, including St. James's Hospital, in order to ensure the presence of a key dedicated individual to facilitate enhanced contact and communication between patients waiting for treatment and medical-nursing staff providing the treatment.
I am pleased to advise the Deputy that I recently provided additional revenue funding of £3 million to the authority for the enhancement of acute hospital services across the region. This includes funding for the appointment of three patient liaison officers at each of the eight adult accident and emergency departments in hospitals providing such services in the region, including St James's Hospital. The authority anticipates that these appointments will facilitate extended cover in this area beyond the normal working day.
