Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)

I wish to refer to accident and emergency services, particularly at Tralee General Hospital. It is acknowledged by the Health Service Executive, and by everyone else, that the accident and emergency facilities there are totally unsuitable and inadequate to cater for the requirements of patients and staff. When the hospital opened in the early 1980s the accident and emergency department had a throughput of about 13,500 patients. Now it has 31,000 patients with the same four cubicles and one toilet for both staff and the public alike.

Only one accident and emergency consultant operates in the hospital with the assistance of six SHOs, five who work by day and one at night. The SHOs are typically junior doctors. There are no registrars in the accident and emergency service in Tralee General Hospital. Tullamore hospital, which is a band 2 hospital like Tralee General Hospital, has six registrars while Tralee has none. There are now rumours that the consultant at Tralee General Hospital will be leaving shortly. This would be a major blow not only for patients but also for the morale of existing staff.

No cleaning staff are available after 5 p.m. in the hospital, although the person cleaning the rest of the hospital can be called on in emergencies or if there are spills. In this age of the MRSA, surely a cleaner should be on duty at all times of the day and night?

I call on the Minister to appoint a design team forthwith for the new accident and emergency unit in Tralee General Hospital. The development will feature a resuscitation room, additional treatment and observation facilities, improved waiting areas and special facilities for children. I appeal to the Minister of State, Deputy Tim O'Malley, to convey this to the Minister as soon as possible.

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