Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 November 2004
148 Mr. Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if, in view of the crisis in the accident and emergency services in Dublin city, she will consider re-opening the old hospitals such as the old Meath, Richmond, Sir Patrick Dunne’s, Adelaide and so on, which could function as accident and emergency facilities. [27783/04]
View answerResponsibility for the provision of health services, including accident and emergency services, to persons residing in counties Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow rests with the Eastern Regional Health Authority. My Department has, therefore, asked the regional chief executive of the authority to investigate the issues raised by the Deputy and to reply to him directly.
Many of the difficulties and delays experienced in emergency medicine departments reflect system-wide issues. It is, therefore, necessary to take a whole system approach, involving primary care, acute care, sub-acute and community care, in tackling the problems in emergency medicine departments. I am currently identifying the particular pressure points within the health system that affect the efficient delivery of emergency services. I intend to ensure that the most pressing problems are addressed as a matter of urgency and, in the context of the upcoming Estimates, I intend to introduce a wide ranging package of measures that will address these problems.
