Frances Fitzgerald
Question:79 Ms F. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Health if he will give details of the success of the recent television and radio campaign on the appropriate use of casualty departments. [5910/97]
Written Answers. - Hospital Casualty Units.
Limerick East): While it is too early to assess the effect of this campaign, I understand that the Eastern Health Board will be reporting to me shortly on its impact.
Frances Fitzgerald
Question:80 Ms F. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Health if he has satisfied himself that the staffing levels are adequate in the casualty department of St. Vincent's Hospital, Dublin 4, to meet the demand; and his views on the waiting times for patients. [5911/97]
Limerick East): St. Vincent's Hospital provides a 24 hour, seven days a week, all year round accident and emergency service. The staffing level at present of a consultant, three registrars, eight casualty officers and 24 nursing staff is considered by the hospital authorities to be sufficient to meet the demands of their accident and emergency department. These medical staff are assigned exclusively to the accident and emergency service and do not work in other parts of the hospital.
The method of operation in accident and emergency departments is to accord priority to those most in need. In the normal course, this means that those with less serious complaints have to wait from time to time while higher priority cases are being treated. Experience in the provision of accident and emergency services has shown that a significant number of those who attend could be treated as effectively and far quicker by their family doctor. This is why the current public education campaign on the appropriate use of accident and emergency departments was launched. The thrust behind the campaign is to keep accident and emergency departments clear for recognised urgent emergencies.