Vol. 498 No. 6
126 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the serious deterioration in the availability of beds for admission from casualty; the statistics for persons detained on trolleys for long periods; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28177/98]
The levels of attendance at accident and emergency departments of major acute hospitals are complex and difficult to predict with any degree of accuracy and in this regard all accident and emergency departments experience periods of exceptional demand. Patients requiring admission may on occasion be retained in accident and emergency departments on trolleys but statistics regarding the numbers of such patients are not routinely compiled by my Department. However, it is important to note that appropriate medical treatment is provided at all times and that waiting periods are kept to an absolute minimum.
The Deputy will be aware that I provided additional funding of £2.3 million in the current year to enable the acute major hospitals to implement various measures aimed at addressing some of the difficulties being experienced in accident and emergency departments, particularly during periods of peak demand.
The Deputy will also be aware that I have published the report of the Review Group on the Waiting List Initiative and am committed to ensuring that its recommended approach is implemented. The report is one of a number of initiatives which I have taken to address the question of long waiting lists and waiting times. I have provided a total of £20 million for waiting list activity in 1999. This is a 66 per cent increase over the amount provided in 1998 and is two and a half times higher than the sum of £8 million provided in 1997. The report recommended the implementation of a range of steps to free up acute hospital facilities for more elective work. It pointed out that a significant proportion of acute hospital beds were being inappropriately used by patients who did not need, or who no longer needed, acute hospital care. This problem arises due to a shortage of places in the areas of stepdown or convalescing care, rehabilitation facilities and community based services which reduce the need to use acute hospital care. Accordingly, I have provided extra funding in 1999 of £9 million for services for older people and £2 million for accident and emergency services which will be an important factor in helping to free up acute hospital beds which are currently occupied by patients who could be accommodated in more appropriate convalescent or extended care facilities or discharged home if adequate community supports were available. The £9 million allocated for services for older people will be used, inter alia, to improve the home help service, increase the number of nursing and paramedical staff in the community, provide support for carers, enable a number of new health board convalescent or extended care facilities to open and increase the number of private nursing home places either subverted or contracted by health boards.
