Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 December 2004
22 Mr. Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the timetable for the implementation of each of the planned measures in regard to the package of measures announced in the Estimates 2005 to improve accident and emergency services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31552/04]
View answer44 Mr. Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the progress made towards addressing the continuing severe difficulties in accident and emergency units, especially in hospitals in the greater Dublin area, which are causing such hardship for patients and staff alike; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31553/04]
View answer125 Mr. Crawford asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the dedicated cleaning services and security measures she intends to provide for accident and emergency departments as announced in the Estimates for 2005; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31750/04]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 22, 44 and 125 together.
I have identified the delivery of accident and emergency services as a priority area for attention. Many of the difficulties and delays experienced in emergency medicine, accident and emergency departments reflect system-wide issues. It is, therefore, necessary to take a whole-system approach, involving primary care, acute care, and sub-acute and community care in tackling the problems in emergency medicine departments.
I have secured additional funding of €70 million in new current expenditure in 2005 to implement a number of initiatives to improve the delivery of emergency services. These include improvements in the following areas: patient flows through accident and emergency departments by developing and expanding minor injury units, chest pain clinics and respiratory clinics in hospitals; acute medical units for patients with urgent medical problems; GP out-of-hours services; the physical environment for patients and staff, including cleaning and security measures; direct access for GPs to diagnostic services; sourcing of capacity in the private nursing home sector for those patients who have completed their acute phase of treatment; and expanded home care packages to support older people at home.
I am confident that the measures that I have announced will have a significant impact on the delivery of accident and emergency services. Details regarding the implementation of these measures will be a matter for the incoming Health Service Executive to negotiate with the individual hospitals concerned.
