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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 5 Mar 1997

Vol. 475 No. 8

Written Answers. - Hospital Services.

Noel Ahern

Ceist:

93 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Health the number of doctors who are on duty at any time in the casualty department of Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9; the least number on duty at any time; whether they must do ward duties at the same time; the reason it could take eight hours and ten minutes waiting time to get an initial examination of a few minutes by a doctor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6157/97]

Limerick East): Beaumont Hospital has advised me that the numbers of doctors normally assigned to the accident & emergency department in Beaumont Hospital is as follows:

Time

No. of Doctors

08.00 a.m.

4

10.00 a.m.

5

11.00 a.m.

6

2.00 p.m.

7

4.00 p.m.

6

5.00 p.m.

5

6.00 p.m.

3

midnight

2

03.00 a.m.

1

The doctors are deployed in order to match the normal pattern of attendances as closely as possible. All these doctors work exclusively in the accident & emergency department and they do not at any time do ward rounds or any other work outside the A & E.
In all cases patients are assessed on arrival by an experienced nurse. The medical condition and priority of the patient are decided and this is kept under review as the situation demands. This process is designed to ensure that the most urgent patients are seen first.
At times unanticipated peaks in activity occur, with a large number of patients arriving within a short time. It is regretted that at such times delays may occur. I understand that Beaumont Hospital is currently reviewing arrangements for dealing with such unexpected upsurges in activity, with a view to improving the services in the A & E department.
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