Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

The Deputy is correct in what he is implying. Not only doctors say that. Sometimes going to an accident and emergency unit is the only way people can get to see a consultant. However, it is adding to the pressure on these units. Every day, 3,300 people present at accident and emergency units. Accident and emergency units are supposed to deal only with accidents and emergencies. We do not have 3,300 accident and emergency cases per day but, due to the lack of out-of-hours GP services in many areas and the failure to secure outpatients' appointments, people are using accident and emergency units. It is important, therefore, that we use the fund when we can without detracting from its focused nature and that we increase the number of consultant appointments, particularly but not exclusively outside Dublin. Some regions have no rheumatologist or plastic surgeon and only one specialist in areas of considerable activity. Nobody can provide a service on that basis.

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