Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is important to reassure people that the work which is under way to develop a national trauma policy is about getting the best outcomes for a particular small category of patients who sustain traumatic injuries. The Minister has not yet received that report. It is probable that he will not get it until towards the end of the year. There is no question of closing accident and emergency departments.

I will respond to the broader points made by the Deputy. Attendances in our health service have increased by 6%. For example, the number of elective procedures done this year has increased by 13,500 when compared with last year. The Government has just invested €500 million, or 90% of available resources, in our health services to deal with the pressures outlined by the Deputy. There is no question of focusing emergency care in Dublin. Clearly, we are establishing the hospital groups to ensure appropriate care is provided throughout the country. As the Deputy knows, there are very large demands on our health services. That is why an additional €500 million has been invested this year. Some €15 million has been allocated to the National Treatment Purchase Fund to deal with those who have been on the waiting lists for the longest period of time. All of those initiatives are targeted at dealing with and improving our waiting lists and making sure people get these services. The throughput in our health services is up. Attendances are up 6%.

The Government is responding to the high demand that exists by investing further and making sure we have the appropriate services around the country. The hospital groups have been given responsibility for developing local services. I repeat that there is no intention to close down accident and emergency departments. That is not the Minister's intention. This is about trauma care. It is a question of how to get those who suffer traumatic injuries in road accidents to the best centre in the appropriate place. The Royal College of Surgeons has been working on that and has made a recommendation. The Minister has agreed that this area should be examined to give the very best care to people who have suffered traumatic injuries.

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