Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)

This morning, the board of Tallaght hospital is meeting to consider the impact of a 300 page report by the Health Information and Quality Authority on safety at the hospital's emergency department. I understand a press conference will be held at 12 noon, before the report is laid before the House. Comments by the Dublin County Coroner last year, following his examination of the circumstances surrounding the death of Mr. Thomas Walsh, appalled everyone. Mr. Walsh was a 65 year old man who died after being placed in a hospital corridor as a result of overcrowding. Shockingly, the coroner asked whether it would be safer for patients to stay at home rather than attend the accident and emergency unit in Tallaght hospital.

Since the death of Mr. Walsh, the practice of keeping patients on trolleys in corridors was to cease, particularly in Tallaght hospital. Will the Tánaiste confirm that this has been the case and no patients have been kept on trolleys in the hospital? Will he outline if the recruitment moratorium is having a greater impact on Tallaght hospital than other hospitals?

Reports in the media this morning indicate the HIQA report will have consequences for all accident and emergency wards. Will the Tánaiste assure the House that investment will be made to implement the recommendations of the report and ensure the safety of patients in accident and emergency units in Tallaght hospital and elsewhere? If a ban is imposed on keeping patients on trolleys, accident and emergency departments will automatically require more staff to ensure patients receive the type of care they need when they attend hospital. Last Thursday, the Tánaiste took great pride in outlining to the House the reduction achieved in the number of trolleys in accident and emergency departments this year. So far this year, 26,000 patients have been treated on trolleys in our accident and emergency wards. In Beaumont Hospital, one of the largest hospitals in the country, the figure has increased. Is it intended that HIQA will visit Beaumont Hospital? Will the Tánaiste assure the House and members of the public that the Government has a plan to ensure our accident and emergency wards are made safer for patients and that they will no longer have to wait on trolleys when they attend hospital to receive care in a time of need?

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