Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 302: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she or the Health Service Executive are taking action on the constant consultant representations regarding the inability of the Lourdes Hospital to cope safely with the number of patients on trolleys such as on 3 November 2008 when there were 34 patients on trolleys in the hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39767/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I am aware that there has been increased pressure on the Emergency Department of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda recently. The Health Service Executive (HSE) has been working to put in place a range of measures to alleviate these pressures. At hospital level some planned activity has been re-scheduled and there has been a particular focus on improving the discharge planning process for patients whose acute phase of care has been completed. In addition, a new Emergency Department is scheduled to open next year.

My Department has asked the HSE to issue a more detailed reply to the Deputy setting out the various measures that are being implemented at the Hospital.