Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 179: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on putting trolleys from accident and emergency into existing wards in hospitals to relieve the ongoing pressure in accident and emergency around the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28896/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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My Department is aware that proposals are being formulated by at least one Dublin hospital to put additional beds on certain wards in order to ease overcrowding in the accident and emergency department. These proposals have been drafted in the light of the Health and Safety Authority's report on certain accident and emergency departments earlier this year which recommended that hospitals address overcrowding in their accident and emergency departments in the context of overall hospital capacity. It is a matter for each individual hospital to consider how best to address capacity issues and to develop the appropriate protocols and procedures for such measures in consultation with clinicians and nursing staff. Any measures that improve services for patients, and their experience of hospital services, will have my full support.