Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 May 2013
100. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the current situation in the accident and emergency department of Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9 in view of the fact that some citizens have been left waiting for more than 24 hours in accident and emergency for admission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22187/13]
View answerOn my appointment as Minister for Health, I set out to address the issues which cause unacceptable 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 ensuring that emergency patients are seen in a timely manner, focussing on working to achieve the national targets for unscheduled care. There has been some improvement in reducing the number of patients waiting on trolleys. Up to the beginning of May there were 248 less patients waiting on trolleys in comparison to 2012, representing an overall reduction of 8.9%.
In relation to the particular query raised by the Deputy in relation to additional immediate 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 in this matter.
