I 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.