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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 1 Dec 1998

Vol. 497 No. 5

Written Answers - Hospital Services.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

211 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children the information, if any, available to him in relation to the number of patients in accident and emergency departments left for long periods on trolleys; and, if this is not available, if he will institute a direction in relation to collecting this data in view of the serious concern expressed by the public in this regard. [25482/98]

Information regarding the number of patients left for long periods on trolleys in the accident and emergency departments of acute hospitals is not routinely collected by my Department. The Deputy will appreciate that the levels of attendance at accident and emergency departments are complex and difficult to predict with any degree of accuracy and in this regard all hospitals providing an accident and emergency service experience periods of exceptional demand. Those who require admission may be retained in accident and emergency departments on trolleys but it is important to note that they receive appropriate medical treatment at all times and that waiting periods, which can vary depending on demand, are kept to an absolute minimum.

I should like to point out to the Deputy that I provided additional funding of £2.3 million in the current year for the accident and emergency services in the major acute hospitals. This has enabled the hospitals to implement various initiatives aimed at addressing the pressures experienced by accident and emergency departments particularly during periods of peak demand, initiatives which include the provision of an improved service for patients through enhanced staffing and organisation of accident and emergency departments and the provision of more appropriate long-stay facilities for patients who are occupying beds in hospitals in order to relieve the pressure on acute beds and to have more places available for emergency admissions as a consequence.

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