Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 5 Apr 2000

Vol. 517 No. 4

Written Answers. - Accident and Emergency Services.

Tony Gregory

Ceist:

135 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Health and Children the measures, if any, he will take to ensure that the practice of leaving patients for very long periods on trolleys in the casualty unit of the Mater Hospital, Dublin 7, no longer occurs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4892/00]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

I am aware that in recent times hospitals providing accident and emergency services, including the Mater Misericordiae Hospital, have experienced increased activity. However, it is important to note that while patients may experience delays in accident and emergency departments, appropriate medical treatment is provided at all times.

On 1 March 2000 the Eastern Regional Health Authority – ERHA – was formally established under the terms of the Health (Eastern Regional Health Authority) Act, 1999. From that date, the ERHA assumed responsibility for all health service issues in the eastern region. While it will be a matter for the board and management of the new authority to determine its own agenda, I will be advising the authority to give high priority to a number of policy questions, including the efficient planning and delivery of accident and emergency services in the eastern region.

In the meantime, I have forwarded the issue raised to the chief executive officer of the Eastern Regional Health Authority and I have asked him to investigate and respond to the Deputy as a matter of urgency. The chief executive officer of the Mater Hospital has also been informed of the Deputy's concerns.