Finian McGrath
Question:
745
Mr. F. McGrath
asked the
Minister for Health and Children
if improvements have been made in the accident and emergency departments in our hospitals with regard to patients on trolley s and chairs; and the plans to end this crisis in our health service.
[21360/04]
View answer
Many of the difficulties and delays experienced in emergency medicine or accident and emergency departments reflect system-wide issues such as the demand experienced by each hospital, the resources available to it, as well as the structure, organisation and staffing profile of the hospital. Therefore, in tackling the problems in emergency medicine departments it is necessary to take a whole-system approach involving primary care, acute care and sub-acute and community care.
There are a number of initiatives under way at present in order to deal with pressures in emergency medicine departments throughout the country. These include the following:
Improved Infrastructure.
Improved and expanded emergency medicine departments are being provided through national development plan, NDP, funding in many acute hospitals throughout the country. Recently new departments have been provided at Cork University Hospital, James Connolly Memorial Hospital, Naas General Hospital, South Tipperary General Hospital, Clonmel and Roscommon General Hospital. The establishment of minor injuries units, chest pain clinics and medical assessment units will also improve the operation of emergency medicine departments.
Additional Funding for ERHA Proposals.
In addition, the Department has approved Eastern Regional Health Authority, ERHA, proposals for short and medium term solutions to the problems associated with emergency departments in the Dublin academic teaching hospitals, DATHS. The cost of these new initiatives is €2.4 million in a full year.
Consultant Staff.
An additional 29 emergency medicine consultants are being recruited for emergency departments throughout the country. A total of 20 are now in place and the other posts are being progressed by the health boards and ERHA.
There are now 51 emergency medicine consultant posts in acute hospitals which is a 260% increase in numbers since 1997. The availability of senior medical staff in emergency medicine departments should facilitate rapid clinical decision making, enhanced management, diagnosis and treatment of patients.
Discharges from Acute Hospitals.
Pressures on the hospital system, particularly in the eastern region, arise from demands on emergency departments and on difficulties associated with patients who no longer require acute treatment but are still dependent. Full year funding of €8.8 million was provided to the ERHA in 2003-04 to facilitate the discharge of some 280 patients, mainly elderly, to more appropriate settings. An additional €5 million was again provided in June 2004 to facilitate the transfer of a further 200 patients, including some young chronic disabled. In August 2004, my Department provided a further €3 million to the ERHA to transfer a further 120 patients.
Bed Capacity.
As part of the Government's commitment to increase bed capacity and to commission new units, funding is now in place for an additional 900 beds in the acute hospital system.
Ongoing Review.
The issue of improving the responsiveness of the emergency medicine services is being kept under regular review.
