Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 374: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the steps that have been taken to reduce waiting periods for patients attending the accident and emergency unit at Beaumont Hospital; the target maximum waiting time in operation; if her attention has been drawn to the continuing lengthy waiting times for patients attending the accident and emergency unit in the hospital; and the steps she will take to reduce waiting periods for patients attending the accident and emergency unit in a bid to offer a satisfactory public service. [1050/09]

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

The HSE made considerable progress since 2006 in improving the delivery of services in Emergency Departments. The vast majority of hospitals were fully or substantially compliant with the 12 hour maximum waiting time target for those requiring admission. However, considerable pressures have been experienced since the beginning of January in Emergency Departments across the country and this has been reflected in an increase in the waiting times for patients. The difficulties are attributed to a number of factors, including the influenza and norovirus outbreaks.

The HSE is working closely with all hospitals, including Beaumont Hospital, in managing these pressures and in ensuring that waiting times for all patients attending Emergency Departments are kept to a minimum.

I am determined that the improvements made over the last two years in managing activity in our Emergency Departments are sustained and in this context, I have asked the HSE to set a revised maximum waiting time target this year of no more than six hours from registration to admission or discharge for all patients attending Emergency Departments, and not just for those patients who require admission. The HSE is also introducing a measurement system during 2009 which will record the total waiting time for all patients attending Emergency Departments.

My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy on the specific issues raised regarding Beaumont Hospital.