asked the Minister for Health if he will give details of the way in which his recently announced provision of an emergency hospital service in the Dublin area is operating; in respect of such new services, the exact number of hospitals on call; their hours of operations; the range of services available; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Dublin Emergency Hospital Service.
66.
I am happy to assure the House that the new accident and emergency service which began on 4 September this year is operating very successfully and is providing an excellent, accessible accident and emergency service to the people of Dublin. I approved around 200 staff and £1.5 million to provide this service this year. The six major hospitals in the Dublin area are on-call 24 hours a day, seven days a week and the full range of hospital services are available there. The hospitals concerned are: the Mater Hospital, Beaumont Hospital, James Connolly Memorial Hospital, Blanchardstown, St. Vincent's Hospital, Elm Park, St. James's Hospital and the Meath Hospital.
The operation of the new arrangements is being closely monitored by the standing committee for the service established under the aegis of the Eastern Health Board. The new arrangement has given rise to an increase in demand and the implications of this are currently being evaluated by the standing committee.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the managements and staffs of these hospitals for their co-operation in bringing in the new arrangements so quickly and smoothly.