Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 20 Mar 2002

Vol. 550 No. 4

Written Answers. - Hospital Services.

Derek McDowell

Question:

346 Mr. McDowell asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of visits being made to accident and emergency departments and other acute hospital services by patients who could be more appropriately treated by a general practitioner; and the annual cost to the health services of such visits. [8501/02]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

The number of people who attended accident and emergency departments in the years 1998 to 2001 are set out in the following table:

A&E Attendance

1998	1,242,243
1999	1,229,303
2000	1,214,154
2001	1,224,809 (provisional)

Information on the number of visits being made to A&E departments and other acute hospital services by patients who could be more appropriately treated by a general practitioner is not routinely collected by Department. My Department has therefore asked the regional chief executive of the Eastern Regional Health Authority and the chief executive officers of the health boards to compile the information requested by the Deputy if it is available to them and to forward it to him directly.