Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 188: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if it is her view that the crisis in hospital accident and emergency departments constitutes a national emergency in view of the fact that the numbers of patients on trolleys and chairs in accident and emergency units in January 2009 exceeded the numbers on the day she declared this a national emergency in March 2006; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2690/09]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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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 last year 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 in managing the pressures to ensure 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 6 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.