Bernard Allen
Question:232 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children the hospitals which have not implemented the 1992 Patients Charter guidelines on offering patients individual out-patients appointment times. [23231/99]
Written Answers. - Patients Charter.
My Department recently sought information on out-patient appointment times from all acute hospitals, in order to assess whether any particular difficulties had arisen in relation to adherence to the standards specified in the Patients Charter. The specific information as requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table.
The initial analysis of the responses collected, shows that in a small number of hospitals, it has not been possible to date to fully implement the Patients Charter guidelines regarding out-patient appointment times due to logistical and other factors. However, these hospitals have confirmed that they are currently reviewing their practices with a view to offering individual appointment times. The survey also indicates that some hospitals offer appointments on a staggered basis with the interval between appointments set in line with the requirements of the individual clinics, and experience has shown that this is the most effective way of operating these clinics. Once again, the hospitals have indicated that they are keeping this practice under review to ensure that patient interest is served. In addition, some hospitals are currently carrying out individual patient satisfaction surveys and the specific issue of outpatient appointments is being examined in this context. Once my Department's analysis on this issue is complete, I will take whatever steps are necessary to ensure that the provisions of the charter are being met.
The development of mechanisms for improvements in patient advocacy is an important task for my Department and in this regard, my objective is to provide a patient focused service, within which the priority must be equity of access to high quality of care, based on clinical need. The Patients Charter was an important step in developing awareness of patients' rights and I intend to develop a comprehensive policy which will build on the good standards of practice which the charter provides.
|
Hospital |
Appointment System |
|
National Maternity Hospital – Holles Street |
Three appointments every 15 minutes |
|
Royal Victoria Eye & Ear Hospital |
No individual times – some block bookings but many patients sent over from A&E Dept on the day |
|
Rotunda Hospital |
Block Booking – individual appointment times for smaller clinics, system to be progressed further in the New Year |
|
St Michael's Hospital, Dún Laoghaire |
Four patients scheduled every 15 minutes |
|
Cappagh Hospital |
No individual times – currently under review |
|
The Children's Hospital, Temple Street |
Three appointments every 15 minutes |
|
James Connolly Memorial, Blanchardstown |
Block booking every 15 minutes |
|
St Finbarr's Hospital, Cork |
Block booking |
|
Tralee General Hospital |
Block booking |
|
St Mary's Orthopaedic Hospital, Cork |
Block booking for out patient clinics. Separate appointment times are given to patients for shoe fitting and calliper clinics. |
|
Mayo General Hospital |
No individual times – currently under review |