Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for his contribution. He speaks a lot of sense. He issued an invitation that I would be delighted to accept. If he sends it to my office, I will be quite happy to ensure it is followed up. I would be very happy to visit Monaghan, as I have done previously in my role, because I have not seen the hospital there.

I agree with the Senator. I am a proponent of what he spoke about. If we always do what we always did, we will always get what we always got. If we are to be serious about bringing about real change and considering how to proceed differently, we need a new approach. As a Minister of State in the Department of Health, I very much welcome the role of public representatives in articulating alternative approaches. The Senator has a good sense of the local issues in his area and of the potential of Monaghan Hospital to make a real contribution to addressing the overarching issue of trolley numbers.

We must never forget that, while trolley numbers dominate many headlines, there are people on the trolleys. They face significant delays in gaining access to treatment. If there is a better way of proceeding, it is incumbent on us, as political leaders, and HSE management to work together through the Department of Health to ensure we explore the options. That is my responsibility as Minister of State. I will assist in this regard to ensure this avenue is explored.

The Cathaoirleach and I are very familiar with similar issues in west Cork. Bantry Hospital makes an enormous contribution to the well-being of people and has greater potential. The Cathaoirleach has for many years fought the battle in this regard. I hope to continue with it. I support the Senator very much and would like to see what is proposed happening.

As the Senator may be aware, Cavan and Monaghan hospitals operate within one hospital group servicing the local population, with the emergency department located in Cavan and the facilities in Monaghan focused on elective care and the streaming of appropriate patients to the minor-injuries clinic. At the end of December 2017, Cavan General Hospital was showing a 3% increase in attendances by patients 75 years or older by comparison with 2016. Furthermore, the admission rate grew by 7.7% in general in this period and by 5.2% for those 75 years or older. Notwithstanding growing demand, Cavan has seen the number of patients on trolleys decrease by 40% in the same period. We must always keep in mind that behind every trolley number, there is a real patient in need of effective, timely and compassionate care from our health service, as I said already.

In 2017 there were over 360 fewer patients waiting on trolleys in Cavan hospital by comparison with 2016. I accept that is still not good enough. While it is a positive indicator, there is certainly farther to travel. I absolutely accept that. There is a tangible improvement but we must continue to try harder. Therefore it is essential that we share the learning and experience of hospitals such as that in Cavan and the RCSI hospital group across the system.

In October 2017, the HSE organised a winter ready conference, which gave all hospital groups and CHOs an opportunity to share best practice and their plans for this winter. I assure the Senator that the Government remains committed to driving this type of improvement in all emergency departments nationally.In October 2017 the HSE organised a winter ready conference which gave all hospital groups and community healthcare organisations, CHOs, an opportunity to share best practice and their plans for the winter. The Government remains committed to driving this improvement in all emergency departments nationally.