Mr. Stephen Mulvany:

Both of those situations are unacceptable; we acknowledge that. It is not what we or the staff in those emergency departments or any staff in the health service want. We are concerned about people who leave without treatment and people whose admissions are delayed, particularly those over 75. We are clear that it is not a problem that can be fixed largely inside the emergency departments; it is a symptom of the wider system. That is why we are looking to do as much as we can before people have to consider going to hospital, so that there are admission avoidance opportunities. We are investing in the community regarding chronic disease and older persons' care so that, as much as possible, we can delay people having to go to emergency departments or give them a different route to being admitted which is quicker, if they have to be admitted, than going through an emergency department, particularly for over-75s and vulnerable adults. We are also focused on trying to improve capacity in hospitals and the use of that capacity. Investment is part of the solution, as is making sure that at all stages staff are supported to make the processes as efficient as possible. In other words, so that we are moving people towards discharge; that is important.