Máire Hoctor (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)

I will reply to this Adjournment matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Mary Harney.

There are three accident and emergency departments in Cork city located at Cork University Hospital, the Mercy University Hospital and the South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital, respectively. These units are cross-covered by a team of five consultants in emergency medicine.

Funding of €4.7 million for the provision of a new accident and emergency department at the Mercy University Hospital was included in the HSE's capital plan for 2006-2010. Building works on the new accident and emergency department commenced in June 2006 and were completed on schedule in January this year. The work of equipping and commissioning the new facility subsequently commenced and this process is expected to be completed in the coming weeks.

At Mercy University Hospital the existing accident and emergency facility caters for up to 25,000 admissions every year in the city centre, while the new unit will have the capacity to cater for 30,000 patients per annum. The work of the existing accident and emergency department is underpinned by close working relationships with physiotherapists, a social worker, an occupational therapist, a radiographer, a pharmacist and other support services, including chaplains, security and housekeeping staff.

The new department consists of a large patient waiting area with a separate paediatric waiting area, a triage area, three-bay minor treatment area, ten-bay major treatment area, two-bay resuscitation room with adjacent x-ray suite and a treatment and therapies-procedures room. There are currently 46 whole-time equivalent staff in the existing accident and emergency department. This staffing includes 18 whole-time equivalent nurses, one whole-time equivalent consultant in emergency medicine filled by two consultants, two registrars, seven senior house officers, ward attendants, clerical staff and porters.

In January 2007, management at Mercy University Hospital submitted an application to the National Hospitals Office for an additional 24.5 whole-time equivalent staff to run the new accident and emergency department at a cost of €1.497 million. The HSE is in negotiation with the management at Mercy University Hospital on the provision of these additional staff. Discussions are also ongoing with staff in the accident and emergency department regarding the transfer from the existing department to the new department. I will relay to the Minister the frustration expressed by Deputy Coveney.

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