Health Committee to discuss delays in admissions & outpatient appointments

The agenda for the meeting is as follows:

Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals: Schedule A: COM (2018) 244 on a proposal for a Council Recommendation on Strengthened Cooperation against Vaccine Preventable Diseases;

Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals: Schedule B: COM (2018) 253 on a proposal for a Council Implementing Decision on subjecting two new psychoactive substances (cyclopropylfentanyl) and (methoxyacetylfentanyl) to control measures.

Hospital overcrowding and delays in admissions and outpatient appointments (resumed)

• Representatives from Irish Hospital Consultants Association
• Representatives from Irish Medical Organisation
• Representatives from Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation

Committee Chair, Dr Michael Harty TD said today, “Ireland’s increasing population needs to be serviced by a health system that can accommodate the greater numbers requiring health care. The Committee is concerned about the delays faced by patients in accessing outpatient appointments, as well as the overcrowding that continues to occur in hospitals throughout the country. With our witnesses tomorrow, we will focus on issues such as recruitment and retention of medical staff and how to increase capacity in the acute hospital system. Committee Members are also likely to engage with the witnesses on funding and health and safety concerns through the health system.”