Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

The Deputies opposite should note that on 31 December 2005, we will have spent €23 billion from the public purse on the provision of health care in this country of 4 million people since 1 January 2004. Deputies should reflect on that because much of the comment was to the effect that there was no investment or that there were cuts in spending. Some €23 billion is a lot of money and I suspect that if some of the Members opposite were in power they would not be able to raise such a sum for the health services.

I am pleased to have the opportunity to set out for the House the steps the Government is taking to improve people's experience of accident and emergency services. It is a fact that people judge our health services by their experience of accident and emergency units. While it is not a complete measure of health services, it is understandable that people consider accident and emergency services in this way. There are 1.2 million attendances at accident and emergency units annually, amounting to nearly 3,300 per day. People from every background, suffering from nearly all medical conditions, use accident and emergency services. The extent and quality of services at accident and emergency departments are affected by factors and issues right across health services, from long-term care for older people to GP services, diagnostic facilities, clinical and hospital management and investment programmes.

People will judge our health services by accident and emergency services. The Government will also judge our health reform programme by whether it makes measurable improvements in patients' health care experience, including their experience of accident and emergency services. I have stated that long waiting times at accident and emergency departments are not acceptable to me or the Government. I have also stated that there is no magic wand that I or anybody else can wave to provide an instant solution.

Additional beds must be staffed and we have to recruit nurses, doctors and other personnel.

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