James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)

Does the Minister accept that the HSE's method of measuring waiting times in accident and emergency departments does not bear scrutiny? The waiting period should commence from the time the patient arrives in the accident and emergency department. However, the clock does not start until a decision has been made to admit the patient. That is not the truth, because the time starts when the SHO or the registrar from the medical team comes downstairs to confirm the admission. The consultant in the accident and emergency department has already made the decision and the waiting period should be measured from that time. As the Minister admitted, the 12 hour target is not being met and I would like to know when it will. Furthermore, what is the timeframe for meeting the six hour target? Where is the acute medical unit for Beaumont Hospital which was supposed to speed up patient waiting times? The unit in Navan hospital started today. How late is that? The number of patients on trolleys in the accident and emergency department in Galway has increased because of the cutbacks. The Minister mentioned Ennis and Galway but the medical board is convinced that with the cutbacks, there will be fewer beds and more patients on trolleys in accident and emergency departments and as a consequence, longer waiting times. Does the Minister accept the closure of the orthopaedic unit in Navan, with a resultant loss in procedures, will cause more people with complications from long-term medication use to attend at the accident and emergency department?

The national plan was introduced because there was a national emergency. Is there still a national emergency? There are 100 more patients on trolleys this month than there were this time last year. How does the Minister intend to address the problem?

See this speech in context