Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

-----more treatment in primary care settings and more use of medical assessment units for people with chronic conditions rather than trauma. While the report rightly points to an acceptable waiting time for patients waiting to be admitted, it is also true that 94% of patients who did not require admission were treated and discharged within the HSE's maximum target of six hours. The Comptroller and Auditor General's report refers to waiting times for admissions only and uses 2 p.m. trolley waits from January to May compared with January to May 2009. Some 87% of all patients at emergency department, irrespective of whether they are admitted, are seen within six hours. On 54% of patients needing admission get a bed within six hours. This has improved from just over 40% since last February.

There has been significant capital investment in emergency departments to improve both the fabric of the units and their capacity to meet patients' needs effectively. There also has been investment in the provision of medical assessment units and substantial investment in services that reduces the need for hospital admission, including primary care teams, homecare packages and home helps.

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