Vol. 405 No. 2
106 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the current major problems in Dublin hospitals which is resulting in the extensive keeping of patients on trolleys for prolonged periods; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
By the very nature of its work it is not possible to say in advance what the workload of an accident and emergency department of a hospital will be at any particular time.
Over the past week there has been additional pressure on the hospital service which may be attributable to the recent severe weather conditions and patients have had to wait from time to time before being admitted to the hospital wards.
When in accident and emergency (A & E) departments patients use mobile beds awaiting admission to wards. All appropriate medical attention is, of course, provided to these patients.
The overall situation is being closely monitored on a daily basis by the steering committee on accident and emergency services under the chairmanship of the Eastern Health Board.
In addition, the six A & E hospitals are currently implementing the good practice recommendations contained in the interim report of the Dublin Hospital Initiative Group in order to shorten waiting times in accident and emergency departments and to improve bed management.
