Brian Hayes
Question:43 Mr. B. Hayes asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will make a statement on the recent agreement on accident and emergency department management. [12592/02]
Vol. 552 No. 4
43 Mr. B. Hayes asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will make a statement on the recent agreement on accident and emergency department management. [12592/02]
48 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Health and Children the progress which has been made in implementing the agreement that led to the suspension of industrial action taken by nursing staff in accident and emergency departments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12541/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 43 and 48 together.
The Deputy will be aware that action was recently taken by nursing staff employed in A&E departments in order to highlight difficulties being experienced in service provision. Proposals put forward by the Labour Relations Commission aimed at resolving the difficulties which had arisen were accepted by all parties. Proposals in the agreement included, inter alia, the establishment of admission and discharge policy monitoring committees in relevant hospitals. I understand that these committees are in place and are working well. In addition, it was agreed that a full security assessment would be undertaken in each A&E department in the country and that a national A&E nursing staffing structures review group would be established to carry out an immediate examination of existing structures and staffing levels in A&E departments. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that considerable progress is being made in implementing these commitments.
The Labour Relations Commission will convene a plenary meeting of all parties to the agreement to review progress on its implementation and I understand that this meeting is scheduled to take place on 17 May.