As the Deputy will be aware the levels of attendance at accident and emergency departments are complex and difficult to predict and all of them experience periods of exceptional demand which can result in delays for patients. However, it is important to note that appropriate medical treat ment is provided at all times and that waiting periods are kept to a minimum.
In 1998, I made an additional £2.3 million available for the development of accident and emergency services. This additional funding was used primarily for the launch by the Eastern Health Board of a national public education campaign aimed at persuading people with minor ailments to attend their family doctor rather than a hospital accident and emergency department, and also the development of a range of initiatives in major accident and emergency departments. Within this funding, Beaumont and the Mater hospital each received an allocation of £200,000. In both hospitals the funding was deployed for the provision of additional accident and emergency staff in order to alleviate pressures in the accident and emergency department.
This year I provided further funding of £2 million to enable major acute hospitals to implement various initiatives aimed at addressing some of the difficulties being experienced in our accident and emergency departments particularly during periods of peak demand. These initiatives will include measures to free up beds for emergency admissions through the provision of alternative step down facilities for patients occupying beds in acute hospitals for lengthy periods. They will allow for the provision of enhanced staffing levels, the development of rapid diagnostic systems for common emergency presentations, continued development of treatment/observation areas in accident and emergency departments and an improved access for general practitioners to urgent specialist opinion. Within this allocation of £2 million, a sum of £200,000 was allocated to Beaumont hospital and this funding is to be used for a total refurbishment of its accident and emergency department. A sum of £210,000 was allocated to the Mater hospital and my Department is in discussion with regard to the deployment of the 1999 allocation.