Vol. 431 No. 8
47 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the waiting time for treatment at the casualty unit at University College Hospital, Galway, is often up to 12 hours; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
72 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that waiting time for treatment at the casualty unit at University College Hospital, Galway, can be between eight and twelve hours; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions No. 47 and 72, together.
I am aware of the delays being experienced by patients in the casualty unit of University College Hospital, Galway. However, the Deputy will appreciate that delays are an inevitable part of busy casualty departments which have a large throughput of patients. Each patient must be assessed to determine his/her medical priority, and urgent cases are attended to promptly. This necessarily means that the more routine patient will experience some waiting time.
The Deputy will be pleased to learn however, that the hospital authorities have recently increased the level of medical cover in the Accident and Emergency Department with a view to reducing waiting times for casualty patients.
In addition, a Joint Working Group comprising of representatives of the Western Health Board and my Department is currently examining the short term development needs of University College Hospital, Galway in the areas of in-patient accommodation, Theatres, X-ray and the Accident and Emergency Department with a view to recommending an interim development plan for the hospital.
