Vol. 457 No. 7
116 Mrs. Geoghegan-Quinn asked the Minister for Health his views on the need for tighter control on admission and discharge policies in the six major Dublin hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16232/95]
Limerick East): Difficulties in the provision of accident and emergency services in Dublin, especially over the winter period, have faced successive Ministers for Health for quite some time. Up to now these difficulties have been dealt with by providing mainly once-off solutions. The solution of Dublin's accident and emergency difficulties can only be solved through a series of measures, both short-term and long-term, which must be co-ordinated and integrated. I propose tackling a number of areas including services for the elderly, services for the chronically disabled and services provided by the acute hospitals which, when taken together, will provide a comprehensive response.
I am at present visiting the major Dublin hospitals to discuss with them a number of important policy and operational issues, including their accident and emergency service. Admission and discharge policies are among the issues being examined by hospitals with a view to better utilisation of available beds.
As part of the co-ordinated approach to the problem, the Eastern Health Board will undertake a detailed study to examine the functioning of the six major Dublin hospitals with particular regard to bed utilisation, bed management and the relationships with the accident and emergency departments.
