Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 February 2005
31 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if, in regard to the package of measures announced by her Department in the Estimates to improve accident and emergency services, she will list those measures implemented to date; the timetable for the implementation of each other planned measure; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4246/05]
View answer42 Mr. Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will report on progress since 1 January 2005 in her efforts to address the crisis in hospital accident and emergency units, in particular the unit at Tallaght Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4199/05]
View answer50 Mr. Gilmore asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if the proposed introduction of three acute medical units in Dublin hospitals has now been agreed with the hospital consultants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4248/05]
View answer76 Mr. Perry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the out of hours services she intends funding under her ten point plan for accident and emergency crises; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4263/05]
View answer88 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the situation in accident and emergency units in view of the decision of the Health and Safety Authority to order a safety inspection of all such units; the steps being taken to ensure that all such units comply with all relevant safety requirements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4247/05]
View answer135 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the extent to which accident and emergency facilities are properly equipped to deal with requirements such as emergencies; if sufficient staff and space is available in such instances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4423/05]
View answerI propose to answer Questions Nos. 31, 42, 50, 76, 88 and 135 together.
The areas referred to by the Deputies are part of a ten point action plan on accident and emergency services, which I announced on the publication of the Estimates for 2005. A sum of €70 million is available to the Health Service Executive this year for these initiatives. I have met with senior management of the HSE and my Department is working closely with the HSE to ensure the early implementation of these measures.
The Government's programme for capital investment in hospital infrastructure is continuing and is resulting in new and improved accident and emergency departments being provided around the country. New accident and emergency departments have been provided at Cork University Hospital, James Connolly Memorial Hospital, Naas General Hospital, South Tipperary General Hospital in Clonmel and Roscommon General Hospital.
I welcome the recent intervention of the Health and Safety Authority. The HSA has a clear statutory role in health and safety in the workplace. The HSA has investigated specific incidences in hospitals in the past and has worked with the hospital authorities to ensure that satisfactory mechanisms have been put in place to safeguard health and safety. The HSA has asked hospitals to carry out a comprehensive risk assessment of their accident and emergency departments. This will be done with the co-operation of management and staff in each hospital.
