Ms Brigid Doherty:

We agree with most of what has been said, especially on opening wards and larger wards. Patients who are admitted to emergency departments when no beds are available are sick and need those beds. They need medical care. Those wards, units or corridors must be staffed appropriately. Otherwise, patients will die. The number of complaints that we received regarding emergency departments increased last year. In the previous year, there were very few complaints. The number of GP complaints is increasing because people feel that they are not getting the service that they should - for example, they are being sent to emergency departments instead of being seen. We ask that everyone work together somehow or other.

Regarding emergencies and disasters, I was in London during the bombings. Front-line staff pulled out all the stops and people were cared for. That is what front-line staff do, which needs to be acknowledged.