Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

The average number of patients on trolleys awaiting admission in February to date is more than 50% lower than in February last year. However, a small number of hospitals, particularly Beaumont Hospital, are having difficulties in the delivery of accident and emergency services. There have been on average 19 patients per day awaiting admission at Beaumont Hospital during this month. At 8 a.m. today 40 patients were on trolleys in the hospital awaiting admission, five of whom were waiting longer than 24 hours. However, it is still a considerable improvement on last year; the plans have led to improvement. However, it is outside the range of what the HSE is trying to achieve. Out of 52 hospitals, I understand four are in that position.

One of the main problems affecting Beaumont Hospital is the unacceptably high number of patients awaiting discharge to a more appropriate setting. The HSE is working with the hospital to address the issues involved. The hospital has taken a number of steps to alleviate the situation in its accident and emergency department, including opening a five-day ward over the weekend, which is helping.

In fairness to the HSE, those working on the winter initiative and on delayed discharges, the figures are substantially down. Beaumont Hospital has a significant number of beds, 138 in total, occupied by patients whose discharge has been delayed. This effectively means they do not have a location. They cannot go home. Out of 550——

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