James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 94: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of chest and pain respiratory clinics that have been established as promised in the programme for Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34313/08]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 96: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of local injury clinics as promised in the programme for Government that have been established; the location of same; the hours they are open to the public; the services available therein; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34315/08]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 94 and 96 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 and Emergency services including:

the further development of chest pain and respiratory clinics to ease pressure on A & E

the establishment of a national network of Local Injury Clinics.

Chest pain assessment and respiratory services are provided at existing Emergency Departments. There are also examples of dedicated GP access to chest pain assessment units in hospitals such as the Mater, Connolly, Cork University and South Infirmary. Dedicated respiratory clinics are conducted at hospitals such as the Mater Hospital and Connolly.

Capital provision has been included by the HSE within its Capital Plan 2008-2013 for the enhancement of Emergency Department facilities in line with the recommendations of the Emergency Task Force. The funding is to be targeted at upgrading and extending existing departments and the development of new departments. A number of the new Emergency 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 on the additional operational issues raised.