Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 27 Jun 2000

Vol. 522 No. 2

Written Answers. - Accident and Emergency Service.

Seán Haughey

Question:

233 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Health and Children the efforts he is making to improve services in accident and emergency departments in public hospitals, particularly Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9 and the Mater Hospital, Dublin 7; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18088/00]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

In recent years my Department has allocated significant additional funding to hospitals providing accident and emergency services, particularly in the eastern region. I have provided additional funding of £2 million in the current year to enable hospitals to continue to implement various initiatives aimed at addressing difficulties experienced in their accident and emergency departments, particularly during periods of peak demand. These initiatives 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 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.

As the Deputy will be aware responsibility for the provision of health and social services, which includes accident and emergency services, in the eastern region now rests with the Eastern Regional Health Authority. I understand that the authority has established a dedicated team to examine in detail the existing accident and emergency services in the eastern region as a whole, including paediatric accident and emergency services, and to bring forward a comprehensive policy on the development of accident and emergency services in the region generally.

The team will review issues affecting accident and emergency services in terms of the principles of access, timeliness, appropriateness and quality. It will seek to ensure patients presenting at accident and emergency departments within the eastern region have access to an appropriate service that deals with their needs in a timely and comprehensive manner.

The review will address a variety of issues to include the examination of services within accident and emergency departments, and the examination of policies, procedures and protocols for emergency services. It is expected that examination of these areas will generate solutions for current problems occurring in some hospital acci dent and emergency departments such as long waiting times for diagnosis and treatment; long waiting times on trolleys for patients awaiting admission; and overcrowding in accident and emergency departments arising in part from delays in admission of patients.

A review of alternative options for care will also be conducted. These options will include development of out of hours GP services at community centres or in a hospital setting; and development of satellite and community based units for minor injury and illnesses.

With regard to the Deputy's specific question in relation to the accident and emergency services at Beaumont and the Mater, I understand from the authority that the position is as follows. A new accident and emergency consultant has been appointed at Beaumont Hospital which will ease the pressures in the accident and emergency department. The hospital has also identified a number of key initiatives for implementation over the next three years. These include reorganisation within the accident and emergency department; the introduction of emergency nurse practitioners who can deal with patients with minor injuries; consideration of a primary care centre on the Beaumont Hospital site; the upgrading of links between Beaumont Hospital and local GPs; the establishment of a chest pain and respiratory clinic; improved links between the accident and emergency department and other specialities; and the opening of a new unit for stroke sufferers.

During the past three years Beaumont Hospital has spent £640,000 upgrading the accident and emergency department and in replacing obsolete equipment. Further refurbishment of the department and the purchase of more new equipment is planned.

This year also saw the provision of a new computerised system to more accurately track and prioritise patients attending the accident and emergency department at the hospital.

Efforts to improve services in the accident and emergency department at the Mater Hospital are ongoing. These include the introduction of a nurse practitioner in September; the creation of a GP liaison nurse post; the recent refurbishment of the accident and emergency treatment area; refurbishment of the accident and emergency waiting area; and the introduction of an accident and emergency observation ward consisting of six beds.

I am satisfied that the initiative of the authority in this vital area of health services provision will result in a much improved service for patients presenting at accident and emergency departments.