Vol. 517 No. 6
276 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will give details of the waiting time in the Mater hospital casualty department on Friday and Saturday nights; and the proposals, if any, he has to relieve the pressure on this service. [10741/00]
I am aware that in recent times hospitals providing accident and emergency services, including the Mater Misericordiae Hospital, have experi enced 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.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Eastern Regional Health Authority, ERHA, was formally established on 1 March 2000 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 is a matter for the board and management of the new authority to determine its own agenda, I have advised 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 directly to the Deputy as a matter of urgency.
