Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 25 January 2017

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health

Emergency Department Overcrowding: Discussion

1:30 pm

Photo of Michael HartyMichael Harty (Clare, Independent)
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I thank Mr. Doran. I will ask one or two questions before we move on to the next group of speakers. On process and integration, is there a value in integrating primary care and secondary care in a much more active manner? We have a model in Kilkenny where there is a highly developed integration between primary and secondary care which involves the streamlining of the flow of patients both into the hospital and out of the hospital.

Dr. O'Conor might respond to my second question. Are sufficient experienced clinicians and nursing staff involved in making serious managerial decisions that can help to improve patient flow and access to services?