The levels of attendance at accident and emergency departments are complex and difficult to predict and in this regard all accident and emergency departments experience periods of exceptional demand which can result in delays for patients. However, it is important to note that appropriate medical treatment is provided at all times and that waiting periods are kept to an absolute minimum.
In 1998, I made an additional £2.3 million available for the development of accident and emergency services across the acute sector and in 1999, a further sum of £2 million was provided for this purpose. Included in this was the provision of funding to the Eastern Health Board for a national public education campaign aimed at persuading people with minor ailments to attend their family doctor rather than a hospital accident and emergency department, and also the development of a range of initiatives in major accident and emergency departments.
As part of this overall funding, £200,000 was allocated to Beaumont Hospital in 1998 and a further £200,000 was made available to the hospital in 1999 for accident and emergency improvements. Within this funding, the hospital has undertaken a number of measures to improve systems for dealing with patients attending the accident and emergency department. A 24 hour triage system has been introduced to ensure that patients are seen in order of clinical need rather than in order of attendance. A GP liaison sister has been appointed to ensure a good quality integrated hospital-community service to patients who present in the accident and emergency department.
I have also published the report of the review group on the waiting list initiative. The report makes a number of recommendations aimed at freeing up acute facilities for more elective work and I am committed to ensuring that its recommended approach is implemented. The report is one of a number of measures which I have taken to address the question of long waiting lists and waiting times. I have provided a total of £20 million for waiting list activity in 1999. This is a 66 per cent increase over the amount provided in 1998 and is two and a half times higher than the sum of £8 million provided by the previous Government in 1997.