Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

The Tánaiste referred to the 378 beds earlier in her answer to a question on the issue. She also pointed out the range of issues of the ten-point plan on accident and emergency departments that are being implemented. A number of them have been implemented while others are on the way. The acute units are being extended in hospital accident and emergency departments to help in the assistance. Most staffing issues are also being dealt with. There are still problems in some of the accident and emergency departments, although not in all of them, which are being resolved.

We are trying to find alternative locations for long-stay patients in acute hospitals so that such patients do not hold back those hospitals but have adequate medical care in other locations. The figures have already been given for those who have been accommodated in recent weeks. A significant number of patients in hospitals in Dublin and elsewhere have been accommodated in private nursing homes and in alternative care. These are satisfactory arrangements and have allowed the beds in acute hospitals to be used for those who come in through accident and emergency departments or for treatment.

We will continue to try to improve the throughput and to free more beds, so that accident and emergency departments do not have the problems that they currently experience and people can be dealt with. As the Tánaiste also pointed out, we are trying to provide home care packages and arrangements where people who do not want to be in hospital can be cared for in the home.

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