Written answers

Tuesday, 13 February 2007

Department of Health and Children

Hospital Waiting Lists

10:00 am

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 336: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the waiting times for admission to acute hospital beds in each of the hospitals in Dublin south east; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4694/07]

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 337: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the waiting times for assessment in accident and emergency at St. Vincent's Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4695/07]

Photo of Mary HarneyMary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 336 and 337 together.

Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services, including responsibility for the collection of data on hospital activity, is a matter for the Health Service Executive. My Department has, therefore, requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to reply directly to the Deputy in relation to the specific information requested.

Improving the delivery of Accident and Emergency services is the Government's top priority in health. Our objectives are to reduce the numbers waiting for admission, the time spent waiting for admission, and the turnaround time for those who can be treated in A & E and do not require admission.

The Health Service Executive continues to report significant improvements in the number of patients in A & E departments who are awaiting admission to an acute bed as compared with the same period last year. The average number of patients awaiting admission during December/January was more than 50% lower than the equivalent period twelve months ago.

Last year the HSE introduced a target of 24 hours within which all patients should be admitted, following the decision to admit. This target is being achieved by the vast majority of hospitals. The HSE is working closely with the small number of hospitals who are continuing to experience difficulties to assist them in reaching this target. The HSE has announced that it will be introducing a revised target of 12 hours within which a patient should be admitted, following the decision to admit. The HSE will also shortly be introducing a monitoring system to record the total time patients spend in A & E departments, from the time they arrive to the time they are either discharged or admitted.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.