Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is a matter of policy within our health service, and many health services around the world that during the winter surge, we prioritise people coming into the emergency department over scheduled care. It is a normal way to balance the capacity we have available and to prioritise emergency department attendances and admissions. It is done in Connolly Hospital and in hospitals around the country. It is done in hospitals around the world.

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