Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 24 May 1994

Vol. 443 No. 1

Written Answers. - Delays in Hospital Treatment.

Martin Cullen

Question:

133 Mr. Cullen asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin I was told at 9 p.m. on 16 May 1994, having waited for seven hours in the casualty area of the Mater Hospital that he along with 14 other people in the same circumstances would not be attended to that night; the reason there was an insufficient number of beds for this person to be admitted to the hospital, and would have to remain in the casualty area all night, in order that he be attended to the following morning.

Minister for Health (Mr. Howlin)

Because of the nature of the work, it is not possible to predict the workload of hospital accident and emergency departments at any particular time. At all times, however, priority is accorded to those patients most in need of immediate medical attention. Because of the unpredictable nature of the workload which may present, it can happen that on occasion patients must be placed in temporary accommodation pending the availability of more appropriate beds. I can assure the Deputy that every effort is made to keep this practice to a minimum.

The position regarding the accident and emergency departments is monitored by my Department on an ongoing basis. In this regard, shortly after coming into office I approved a sum of £500,000 to provide an immediate response to a problem of this type. In December 1993, following further discussions, I allocated an additional £250,000 to the Eastern Health Board to enable the pressures on the accident and emergency hospitals to be eased.

This was achieved through the placing of more than 100 patients from the six major A & E hospitals in Dublin, who were no longer in need of acute hospital care, in step-down accommodation more appropriate to their condition.

The changes which I have recently announced in relation to the charge for attendance at accident and emergency departments is intended to create an incentive for patients to attend their general practitioner in the first instance, in cases where their condition would be most appropriately treated at this level. I am hopeful that this change will help to ease the pressure on hospital accident and emergency departments.

I have been advised by the Mater Hospital that the person in question was admitted to the accident and emergency department on 16 May 1994. Whilst in the accident and emergency department, he was under the constant supervision of the medical and nursing staff of that department. I understand that he is currently a patient in the hospital and is undergoing tests and examinations in relation to his illness.

I would like to assure the Deputy of my continuing concern that the accident and emergency hospitals in Dublin are enabled to respond effectively to the demands placed upon them and that I will continue to monitor the situation with a view to taking further action if required.