asked the Minister for Health the outcome of his report and investigations into an incident (details supplied) which took place in September in the Meath Hospital, Dublin 8; and the proposals, if any, he has to ensure that such an incident does not recur.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Meath Hospital (Dublin) Incident.
71.
I have received a detailed report from the Meath Hospital on the treatment of this patient. I regret that the patient had to spend 11 hours on a trolley awaiting admission to a hospital bed. The report confirms that all proper medical and nursing care was provided by the hospital and that food and drink and proper bed clothing were supplied, contrary to the unfounded allegations made in the media at the time.
The Meath Hospital has since September effected improvements in reception and admission of accident and emergency patients. These include provision of a 19-bed admission ward, provision of 24-hour X-ray cover in the A and E Department when the hospital is on call, and provision of a theatre in the A and E department for minor surgical procedures. A nurse to screen all incoming patients on a Triage basis has also been appointed. A new A and E consultant will take up duty early in 1989.
I have met with the chairman of the boards of the three hospitals comprising the MANCH group and asked that arrangements be made very quickly to have a single management structure. I am now considering the response of the three hospitals.
Would the Minister agree that this was a scandal and disgrace which never should have happened? Would he outline who he feels is responsible?
I regret that this patient was left for 11 hours on a trolley, but I should like to say that I have confidence in the medical and nursing staff in the MANCH group of hospitals. It is important to ensure the maximum co-ordination between the hospitals. I should add in relation to the Meath and the Adelaide particularly that there will always be some difficulty by reason of having the hospitals on separate compuses until such time as they move to Tallaght Hospital. I have assured the House that there will be no delay in expediting the building of the new hospital in Tallaght.
I am sure Deputy Yates will facilitate me in getting through all the questions listed for priority within the prescribed time. A brief supplementary, please.
Is the Minister aware that what happened in this incident was entirely predictable since incidents had taken place in the previous June? Coordinating structures were supposed to have been put in place but obviously this was not done. Is the Minister satisfied that the necessary structures are in place to ensure that this will not happen again?
I accept that a similar problem occurred in June but it transpired then that vacant beds were available at the Adelaide Hospital while patients were on trolleys in the Meath Hospital. Obviously that indicated a lack of co-ordination. I am satisfied that a number of procedures have been put in place to improve the position. I referred to some of them in my reply. Until such time as the hospitals move to Tallaght we need a unified admissions policy and a single management. I have met the chairmen of the boards of the three hospitals and asked them to make such arrangements. I am now studying their response.
Will the Minister give the House an assurance?