Thomas P. Broughan
Question:227. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the further steps being taken to reduce the waiting times in the accident and emergency Departments Beaumont Hospital, Dublin. [22052/13]
View answerThursday, 9 May 2013
Questions (227)
Written answers
Since my appointment as Minister for Health, I have set out to address the issues which cause delays in patients being treated in our hospitals. I established the Special Delivery Unit (SDU), which is working to unblock access to acute services by improving patient flow through the system, including Beaumont Hospital. An intensive work programme is underway between the SDU's liaison officers, the Clinical Programmes and Beaumont Hospital teams. The SDU is satisfied that there is increased engagement at all levels in the hospital, focussing on working to achieve the national targets for unscheduled care so that emergency patients may be seen in a timely manner.
There has been some improvement in treatment times for patients at Beaumont Emergency Department (ED). On a year to date basis, at the end of April 2013, 54% of all ED patients were admitted or discharged within 6 hours and 68% were admitted or discharged within 9 hours. As measured by the INMO, there were 9% fewer patients on trolleys in the twelve months to the end of April 2013 compared to previous period. This is on top of the 15% improvement in 2012 compared to 2011.
In relation to the Deputy's question regarding the additional steps being taken to reduce waiting times at the hospital, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy.