Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Ceann Comhairle's office for allowing me to raise this issue and I especially thank the Minister for coming to the House to reply. I raise this issue for a number of reasons. I do not propose to name the patient concerned, even though that patient has already been named in the media. There are serious issues which need to be dealt with. The more we find that we must respond to each issue raised in the public arena, the worse the reputation of all of us seems to get.

There are three aspects to this issue, the first of which is patient health, safety and well-being. The second aspect is damage to the hospital's reputation and the third aspect is the remedy. In a previous incarnation, I spent many years on the visiting committee of Naas hospital, so I have a reasonable idea of what can and cannot be done.

The hospital has had 100% bed occupancy for the past number of weeks. If anything happened which over-extended that further, there would be an overspill. This can be resolved in the case of Naas hospital. There are at least two decommissioned wards which do not meet health and safety standards and fire prevention requirements. They could be recommissioned, if necessary.

The Minister is a caring and compassionate man and is mindful of the need to address the concerns of patients. We should look at the availability of this space with a view to bringing it up to standard, which could be done at a reasonable cost, and making it available so that overspill in the future can be dealt with and that we do not have a situation where the unfortunate patient must remain on a trolley for three days awaiting attention. It is far better to get ahead of a problem and to resolve it in a meaning way before it becomes a potential tragedy.

Every patient in hospital feels vulnerable. People going into a hospital at any age are dependent on their surroundings and the care and attention they get. Naas hospital has a very dedicated staff who have done tremendous work in very trying and testing circumstances which become more trying and testing as time goes on. However, in order to preserve and protect their reputations, that of the hospital and the health service, it is important we focus on how best to deal with the problem.

While I do not claim to be an expert in this area, I know a little bit about it, as I am sure the Acting Chairman, Deputy Wall, does. The situation I see emerging needs to be dealt with as a matter of urgency because if we do not deal with it now, something may happen which could be hugely damaging to everybody's reputations, including hospital services in general, and it could put patients at risks. There is no need for it to happen because we have, in theory, a good service and dedicated staff. We need to allay the fears and concerns of patients who might find themselves in hospital awaiting attention. Older people, in particular, are very vulnerable and they expect things to happen more quickly than would ordinarily be the case because of their vulnerable situation and their age.

I thank the Minister for coming to the House to reply to this issue, about which I know he is concerned. I deliberately did not name the patient because this is an issue we should not have to visit again and again.

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