James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 253: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the progress made in relation to the Programme for Government commitment to further increase the number of accident and emergency consultants available around the clock in accident and emergency departments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26771/08]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 254: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the progress made in relation to the Programme for Government commitment to develop chest pain and respiratory clinics to ease pressure on accident and emergency departments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26772/08]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 255: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the progress made in relation to the Programme for Government commitment to establish a national network of local injury clinics; the number of clinics fully established and operational to date; the number of clinics in development; the way these clinics are being funded; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26773/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 253 to 255, inclusive, together.

Improving the delivery of Accident and Emergency services continues to be a high priority for this Government.

The Programme for Government contains a number of commitments designed to further improve the delivery of Accident & Emergency services. These are to:

Increase the number of A & E consultants available around the clock in A & E departments;

Further develop chest pain and respiratory clinics to ease pressure on A & E;

Establish a national network of Local Injury Clinics.

The "100 + Scheme" was introduced last year by the HSE to reward hospitals with Emergency Departments operating in line with performance targets. Phase 1 of the Scheme involved the announcement in August 2007 of 60 consultant posts to be distributed across 24 hospitals and including posts in emergency medicine, radiology, general medicine, general surgery and geriatric medicine. The HSE National Service Plan, 2008 states that these posts will be progressed in line with the level of development funding available for the scheme.

An additional 20 Consultants in Emergency Medicine have been approved to support the delivery of A & E services since 2003. This represents an increase of 61% over the past five years in emergency consultant numbers. A further 2 posts were advertised in April.

In addition, the new Consultant Contract provides for greater flexibility in the rostering of Consultants in Emergency Medicine and the consequent availability of consultant-provided services in line with clinical need. The new Contract includes provision for an extended working day to 12 hours Monday to Friday (8 am to 8 pm), provision for rostering on-site at weekends and public holidays and by agreement, more flexible arrangements, including 24/7 rostering.

Chest pain assessment and respiratory services are provided at existing Emergency Departments. There are also dedicated practice examples where GP referrals are assessed by the cardiology services in units with chest pain assessment units such as the Mater, Connolly, Cork University and South Infirmary Hospitals. Dedicated respiratory clinics are conducted at hospitals such as the Mater Hospital and Connolly.

Significant capital provision has been included by the HSE within its Draft Capital Plan 2008-2013 for the enhancement of A & E facilities in line with the recommendations of the Emergency Task Force. The funding will be targeted at upgrading and extending existing departments and will also include provision for new departments. A number of the new A&E Departments have provision for minor injury clinics at hospitals including Connolly, Cork University, St Vincent's, St James's and South Tipperary General Hospitals.

Outside of Dublin, funding was provided for the expansion of the minor injury service at St. John's Limerick, and the provision of a minor injuries unit at Waterford Regional Hospital. These services are fully operational.

In line with the recommendations of the Teamwork Report "Improving Safety and Achieving Better Standards", the HSE is also committed to the development of Minor Injury Units in local hospitals in the North East. The first of these units is to be developed at Monaghan Hospital. Other units are to open at Our Lady's Hospital, Navan and Louth County Hospital, Dundalk.

My Department has asked the HSE to communicate directly to the Deputy any additional detail regarding initiatives at individual hospital level in respect of the issues raised.