Gino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

Yes. Good morning and happy St. Brigid's Day. This is the first day of the Irish spring and a very positive day of the year. My first question relates to people who have a terminal cancer diagnosis and present themselves in emergency departments.

What is international practice when someone with a terminal cancer diagnosis presents in an emergency department with their condition deteriorating? I have recent first-hand experience of this because a member of my family spent an inordinate amount of time in an emergency department. It beggars belief. The system should be better than having someone who is terminally ill spend two days on a trolley. It is incredible. Is there international practice where that does not happen? It is not acceptable that someone could be waiting two days in an emergency department. Is there a system in place elsewhere where people with a terminal illness are not allowed to stay in an emergency department for so long?