Michelle Mulherin (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I compliment the management and staff of Mayo General Hospital. Trolley numbers are down from this time last year by 15% although, of course, trolley numbers continue to be far too high. I can vouch myself because I liaise closely with management and staff and I deal with patients. It is on account of mammoth efforts and a multifaceted approach on the part of management and staff that we have seen these results.

Notwithstanding this progress Mayo General Hospital has experienced a continuous surge in demand in the accident and emergency department in recent months, dating back to August when traditionally the numbers in the accident and emergency department would be few. However, this year there were considerable numbers. It is really pressurised in the accident and emergency department.

A number of measures have been implemented, including a change in bed management practices, extending diagnostic services such as radiology and cardiac investigations and the introduction of an elderly frail care team under the winter initiative fund, for which the hospital received €250,000. The use of additional step-down beds at Ballina and Swinford district hospitals has helped and the provision of additional funding for the fair deal scheme has helped delayed discharges. These measures can only go so far. They are short-term measures and they show some benefit but in the longer term there is a serious capacity issue in the emergency department at Mayo General Hospital. There is also a deficit in medical beds.

The emergency department was designed to cope with 20,000 patients per annum. In reality, it receives 35,000 patients per annum. Without a doubt, it is operating far beyond its capacity. I know the hospital board has sent a business case to the Saolta Healthcare Group for funding to increase the capacity of the emergency department. I fully support this and I call on the Minister, as part of the suite of measures and the multipronged approach he has described, to urge the Saolta Healthcare Group to prioritise Mayo General Hospital as it considers its priorities for infrastructure investment for 2016. I understand the immediate provision of an additional six clinical spaces and 15 medical beds would make a considerable difference to patient flow through the hospital. It would afford dignity and quality of experience to the patient and reduce trolley numbers and the waiting list for elective procedures.

12 o’clock

I understand that the possibility of modular building is being considered, but the reality is that we cannot get away from the capacity issue and the stress and pressure that people working in the emergency department are experiencing. I can vouch for that fact. I have been to the emergency department on a number of occasions, in my official capacity and with some patients. It is a very small emergency department, and a very modest proposal could realise real benefits and an alleviation of the trolley problem in County Mayo and the wider area it serves.

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