Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing me to raise this issue which, like that raised by Deputy Costello, relates to the appalling conditions in which hospital staff must work, particularly in accident and emergency wards. A report in today's edition of The Irish Times states that patients on trolleys yesterday in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda were asked to give up those trolleys to accommodate more seriously ill patients admitted following a traffic accident. Patients had no problem doing so but it is an indication of the appalling pressure on patients and staff. It is unacceptable and disgraceful.

The Minister was notified of the problems in the hospital last June. Dr. Finbar Lennon, a senior consultant in the region, wrote a letter to the Health Service Executive at that time, which I understand was forwarded to the Department of Health and Children, expressing his concerns about the "failure of the management authorities at all levels to appreciate the impact and consequences of the current workload and throughput of cases in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital". Mr. Lennon went on to state that, in his opinion, the situation was "very unsafe" and that he had called for a "fundamental reappraisal of the current strategy being pursued by management".

It is a shameful situation. The patients to whom I have spoken are very appreciative of the excellent treatment they receive from consultants, nurses and other hospital staff. However, they cannot understand why adequate provision is not made to improve conditions. Why does the HSE not provide the necessary services in Dundalk, Navan, Cavan and Monaghan to relieve the pressure on Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital? The current conditions are unsustainable and unsafe. Mr. Lennon's statement, which was brought to the attention of the HSE and the Department last June, is quite serious.

What is the Government doing to improve this unacceptable situation? The hospital is in chaos in terms of finding space for sick people. A friend of mine attended the accident and emergency department last Monday and had to wait on a trolley for almost 36 hours. The problem at that stage, before yesterday's crisis, was that there was only one bed for 30 possible patients. This is an ongoing crisis. While I fully acknowledge that there is a substantial difficulty in coping with the winter vomiting bug, the HSE has made an entirely inadequate provision for the care of patients in the hospital.

How is the Minister accountable for this situation? The Government has allowed the HSE to function in such a way that public representatives do not have a forum in which to raise such issues. The Minister absolves herself of any responsibility and everything goes back to the HSE. There must be accountability to the House. The Minister must be able to answer our questions on certain urgent matters. It is a shame that the wonderful staff of our Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital and the sick patients who receive tremendous care from them must endure these appalling, disgraceful and shameful conditions.

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