Results 9,921-9,940 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Leaders' Questions. (19 Oct 2004)

Bertie Ahern: I am talking about this week. The Government is this week trying to enhance those facilities and trying to provide more beds so that patients can move from acute care, when they do not need it, to stand-down beds.

Leaders' Questions. (19 Oct 2004)

Bertie Ahern: Some 520 patients have already been discharged and work is ongoing to facilitate the discharge of more patients. That is the current position, not a plan for the future. More than 1.2 million people are treated in our accident and emergency departments, a much higher figure than ever dealt with before. A greatly increased number of consultants are meeting, dealing with and assessing patients....

Leaders' Questions. (19 Oct 2004)

Bertie Ahern: All of these facilities are in place. While there is a longer-term plan to have 3,000 beds, 900 are in place. Longer-term developments are ongoing at James Connolly Memorial Hospital and at hospitals in Naas, south Tipperary, Roscommon and elsewhere, including at the Mater Hospital.

Leaders' Questions. (19 Oct 2004)

Bertie Ahern: The provisions to which I refer have been in place since the summer and show we are addressing this issue.

Leaders' Questions. (19 Oct 2004)

Bertie Ahern: With regard to my reference to the past 30 years, during the busy time of year for the medical system in Europe, there is never a period without problems in accident and emergency. What is needed is to try to quickly provide the best facilities within accident and emergency, and the best discharge policies compatible with the patient's medical and family needs. That is precisely what we are...

Leaders' Questions. (19 Oct 2004)

Bertie Ahern: Some 900 beds were provided of the 3,000 beds which were to be provided over a decade. Deputy Sargent will agree that this target was based on the professional assessment of all involved in the health sector.

Leaders' Questions. (19 Oct 2004)

Bertie Ahern: It is a third of what was to be provided over a decade. The long-term aim is for more beds, which is already happening.

Leaders' Questions. (19 Oct 2004)

Bertie Ahern: It is happening at hospitals at Temple Street, Castlebar, Limerick, Cork University, Naas and James Connolly Memorial.

Leaders' Questions. (19 Oct 2004)

Bertie Ahern: Deputy Rabbitte asked me about the short-term facilities. We have already announced a package for this and the facilities are opening. However, a current problem exists. Not everywhere but in a number of locations, there is a requirement to better operate the accident and emergency discharge policy-——

Leaders' Questions. (19 Oct 2004)

Bertie Ahern: ——so that patients in beds who do not require intensive, specialist acute care are moved to an appropriate location in accordance with their medical needs.

Leaders' Questions. (19 Oct 2004)

Bertie Ahern: In private nursing homes.

Leaders' Questions. (19 Oct 2004)

Bertie Ahern: Some 520 patients have been discharged to date. The Department of Health and Children has already identified the areas where we can find more spare capacity. That must be matched by the doctors and medical staff being happy that the patients they discharge — it is not just a question of moving them — are discharged compatible with the medical needs and family circumstances of the...

Leaders' Questions. (19 Oct 2004)

Bertie Ahern: In addition, we provided many initiatives over the summer, as I stated we would——

Leaders' Questions. (19 Oct 2004)

Bertie Ahern: ——and appointed additional nurses, doctors, consultants and stand-down facilities. This is not a plan; it happened last summer.

Leaders' Questions. (19 Oct 2004)

Bertie Ahern: That is totally incorrect. We are spending €10.5 billion which is a three-fold increase in the health budget. We have 35,000 more people working in it. There is a capital programme in practically every county in the country.

Leaders' Questions. (19 Oct 2004)

Bertie Ahern: The reason for giving incentives a number of years ago was an increase in the aged population. It was correctly argued that in order to provide more facilities for elderly people we should involve the private sector, under clear regulations, in building more nursing homes. That has worked. That is how, in the short term, we have been able to provide discharges of 520 patients to assist in...

Leaders' Questions. (19 Oct 2004)

Bertie Ahern: ——more than merely engaging in political chat about it.

Leaders' Questions. (19 Oct 2004)

Bertie Ahern: Regarding the hospital system, we continually try to put in better facilities. It would be a good idea if people acknowledged the major improvements in areas of our hospital system other than accident and emergency.

Order of Business. (19 Oct 2004)

Bertie Ahern: It is proposed to take No. 13, motion re Proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the Draft Order entitled Adoptive Leave Act 1995 (Extension of Periods of Leave) Order 2004 (back from committee); No. 14, motion re Proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the Residential Institutions Redress Act 2002 (Additional Institutions) Order 2004 (back from committee); No. 15, motion re Proposed approval...

Order of Business. (19 Oct 2004)

Bertie Ahern: If the Whips wish to discuss having a debate on the report.