Maria Byrne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Another concern I have is that the HIQA inspection was conducted midweek. The high numbers are at weekends. Has the HSE looked at the cause of the high numbers at weekends? There is not enough patient flow. People tell me they feel they are there unnecessarily. The blood clinic used to finish earlier on Fridays. After 5 p.m. on Fridays, people who present to a GP are sent to the hospital if there are concerns. If blood tests could be read, they could be sent home if they are not at risk. Doctors send people to the hospital if they think they are at risk of a stroke, for instance. Is there a proposal to extend the hours over the weekend?