Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Every hospital management has to be alerted to the issue of elderly patients being on trolleys for unacceptably long periods of time, which was mentioned by the Deputy. I know the Minister is absolutely determined to ensure such cases should not actually occur. I want to sympathise with those affected by the recent cases, including their families. As the Deputy knows, €5 million is being spent on finalising a new emergency department in Tallaght. As his party's health spokesperson, he will also be aware that the very successful urgent assessment units are now used quite widely. They have been in use in my local hospital in Blanchardstown for most of this year. Older people, particularly those over the age of 70 who often have chronic conditions, can go to those assessment units and be looked after extremely well. This takes them out of the emergency department situation very quickly. This system works very well. I understand that Tallaght is in the process of developing an urgent care approach to very elderly patients who come in. This is happening alongside the work in the emergency department. On the issue of GP cards and GP care for under sixes, I have to say I am very pleased at the level of response so far, which is just over 50% of the eligible doctors.

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