Hospital Services.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 October 2004

Thursday, 21 October 2004

Questions (119, 120)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

113 Ms Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the urgent need to provide step-down facilities for the 77 patients who are occupying beds in the Mater Hospital and who are ready for discharge from acute service; if she will examine the use of some of the spare capacity in step-down facilities in the private sector to address this problem; and the steps she is taking to provide these facilities. [25909/04]

Tony Gregory

Question:

117 Mr. Gregory asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the action she is taking in response to the crisis in the accident and emergency section of the Mater Hospital, Dublin 7; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25982/04]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 113 and 117 together.

Services at the Mater Hospital are provided under an arrangement with the Eastern Regional Health Authority and my Department has, therefore, asked the regional chief executive of the authority to examine the issues raised by the Deputies and to reply to them directly. I intend to work with the relevant authorities to ensure that the problems being experienced in the delivery of emergency services are addressed as a matter of urgency.