Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

The HSE has published the results of its national survey on the experience of patients using accident and emergency departments. The survey was carried out by the Irish Society for Quality and Safety in Healthcare with the RCSI and MORI Ireland. Some 76% of patients were satisfied with their experience in accident and emergency departments and 86% of patients with a choice of service would choose the same accident and emergency department.

A patient who reported he or she received less information, advice and pain relief than it was felt required were more likely to be dissatisfied with the service. Some 50% of patients who needed to be seen by a doctor were seen within one hour of the initial assessment.

See this speech in context