Vol. 419 No. 10
55 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Health the way in which he intends to improve the hospital casualty departments so as to encourage only those requiring hospital treatment to use the casualty department and to encourage those not requiring hospital treatment to be seen by their general practitioner.
As Minister for Health, I am concerned that all patients should receive care at the level most appropriate to their condition. In this regard, I am aware that some people who present themselves at Accident and Emergency Departments could be treated at a lower level; for example, many people with minor injuries would be capable of treatment by a general practitioner. My Department is continuously considering ways in which the delivery of health care can be improved and the operation of hospital Accident and Emergency Departments is one of the areas which is at present being examined.
