Vol. 562 No. 2
206 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Health and Children the protocols which obtain in regard to the admission of medical patients through accident and emergency departments of health board hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5804/03]
The protocols which obtain in regard to the admission of medical patients through accident and emergency departments of health board hospitals are a matter for individual hospitals and health boards in the first instance. Admission and discharge policies have been reviewed and are being strengthened at local hospital level following recommendations by the Labour Relations Commission for the settlement of a dispute in 2002 involving nurses at accident and emergency departments. If the Deputy has a particular hospital in mind he should contact the relevant health board to establish the protocols in place.
