Vol. 405 No. 3
296 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Health if he will investigate the reasons a person (details supplied) in Dublin 7 was left waiting in a cubicle in the casualty department of the Mater Hospital from 8 p.m. on 10 February 1991 until 4 p.m. the following day in extreme pain before a bed could be provided for her; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Over the past weeks, there has been additional pressure on the hospital service which may be attributable to the recent severe weather conditions and there have been instances where some patients have had to wait in accident and emergency departments before being admitted to the hospital wards.
On the night in question the hospital had to cope with a very large number of patients requiring hospitalisation, because of the particular difficulties on that weekend.
By the very nature of its work, it is not possible to say in advance what the workload of an accident and emergency department of a hospital will be at any particular time. However, I would like to emphasise that despite delays in arranging admission to the actual wards, all patients requiring hospitalisation were admitted.
