Vol. 469 No. 2
19 Miss Quill asked the Minister for Health the plans, if any, he has to meet with staff in public hospitals in the Dublin area with a view to averting another accident and emergency crisis in 1996; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16982/96]
Limerick East): Before I came into office, the difficulties in the accident and emergency services were dealt with mainly by a series of once off measures. I was anxious that a more comprehensive and integrated approach be adopted and I have previously set out in this House the successful measures which were put in place for the winter of 1995-96. The successful management of accident and emergency departments involves tackling a number of areas including services for the elderly, services for the chronically disabled and the management of services provided by the acute hospitals themselves.
The Eastern Health Board has carried out a detailed survey on bed utilisation in the six accident and emergency hospitals in Dublin with a view to identifying how admission and discharge policies can be improved to ensure a more effective service to patients.
I have asked officials of my Department, in association with the Eastern Health Board, which chairs a steering committee responsible for the co-ordination of the accident and emergency services in Dublin, to review the position regarding the accident and emergency service in Dublin for the winter of 1996-97. Membership of the committee is comprised of the managers and chief executives, accident and emergency consultants and nursing staff representatives of each of the six major Dublin accident and emergency hospitals. It is my intention that as in the winter of 1995-96 a successful integrated programme of action can be put in place for the winter of 1996-97.
