Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)

Does the Minister agree the overriding concern of those involved in the industrial dispute in the mid-west is patient safety? This morning there were six people on trolleys in the accident and emergency unit but there were 41 in an overflow ward. There is a massaging of figures for people on trolleys awaiting proper treatment. The nurses involved in the industrial dispute are clear that they are very concerned about patient safety and that there is gross overcrowding in accident and emergency wards that compromises their ability to deliver proper clinical supports and services to patients who present in the accident and emergency department. Does the Minister agree their overriding concern is patient safety?

The special delivery unit did not carry out a "dawn raid" but informed management in advance that it would inspect the hospital to see how it could assist with overcrowding in the accident and emergency ward. When it arrived at the hospital it found very few people on trolleys but there is now an overflow ward where 41 people are awaiting admission. Clearly the special delivery unit should not inform hospitals of visits in advance so it can see at first hand the concerns being expressed by the INMO members.

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