Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 367: To ask the Minister for Health his plans to reduce the practice of hospital patients having to lie on trolleys in accident and emergency departments rather than being admitted to hospital wards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16298/11]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 370: To ask the Minister for Health his views whether accident and emergency departments in our hospitals are adequately resourced to meet the needs of patients and to provide a safe working environment for staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16301/11]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 371: To ask the Minister for Health his plans to ensure that the Health Service Executive ensure a co-ordinated approach to ensure that patients who have been admitted to hospital are not left in the accident and emergency department on a hospital trolley and that they can access a hospital ward; the length of time he believes it is acceptable that any patient should have to lie on a hospital trolley in the accident and emergency department when he or she has been admitted to stay in the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16302/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 367, 370 and 371 together.

I have stated many times that the waiting times for admission for patients attending Emergency Departments in many hospitals are unacceptable. I am determined that this situation should be addressed. In this regard the Deputy will be aware that I have recently established the Special Delivery Unit and assigned to it as a priority the task of addressing the issues arising in Emergency Departments.

The difficulties in Emergency Departments cannot be resolved solely within the EDs themselves and must be addressed on the basis of a health-system wide approach. In particular, overcrowding in the Emergency Department is multi-factorial in origin and any solution to problems that may arise from this issue must reflect this reality. Any solution must start with ensuring that patients are treated in the most appropriate way in the most appropriate location. This means that where and whenever possible patients who can be treated in the primary care setting receive that treatment in a timely manner. This will ensure that patients can be confident of receiving the necessary treatment on time and that there is less need for patients to attend at EDs.

The issue of staffing levels in Emergency Departments, as in other areas of hospitals, is a matter for the management of the hospitals and the HSE in the first instance. I am aware that concerns have arisen in relation to certain hospitals in advance of the next rotation of Non-Consultant Hospitals Doctors (NCHDs). My officials are in contact with the HSE and relevant authorities to ensure that the necessary steps are being taken to ensure ongoing safe delivery of service in hospitals and in Emergency Departments in particular.

I am confident that with careful planning, with leadership from the Special Delivery Unit, the implementation of the HSE's Emergency Medicine Programme and related clinical programmes and the roll-out of Acute Medicine Units we will be in a position to reassure patients that the difficulties in Emergency Departments will be addressed.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 368: To ask the Minister for Health his views regarding the risk of cross-infection resulting from overcrowding in accident and emergency departments in our hospitals; if he has discussed this issue with the Health Service Executive and with the Health Information and Quality Authority; if he proposes to take any actions to reduce this risk; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16299/11]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 369: To ask the Minister for Health the number of incidents of cross-infection that occurred in accident and emergency departments over the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16300/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 368 and 369 together. Healthcare Association Infections (HCAIs) continue to be a challenge for healthcare systems worldwide. Ireland is not unique in this regard and tackling HCAIs here continues to be a priority for the Government and for the Health Service Executive (HSE).

Healthcare associated infection, including MRSA, is a challenge for all health systems across the world as healthcare becomes more intensive, complex and invasive. In 2007, the HSE launched its strategy "Say No To Infection" for prevention and control of healthcare-associated infection.. A HSE HCAI Governance Group was established to lead on the implementation of this strategy and to monitor progress. Local implementation teams were also established to drive change at a local level.

As part of the governance and performance management regarding this issue the HSE is committed to ensuring that infection control is an integral part of clinical and corporate governance within every healthcare institution and hospital in Ireland and an acceptance that the prevention of infection is every healthcare worker's responsibility.

Overcrowding in the Emergency Department is multi-factorial in origin and any solution to problems that may arise from this issue must reflect this reality. The recently established Special Delivery Unit is the primary way I have chosen to address this.

This can be achieved by improving options for patients to avoid hospital attendance and facilitating hospital discharge. The HSE clinical care programmes including the chronic disease programmes, elective surgery, emergency medical care and acute medical programme when implemented will facilitate many aspects of this.

In addition the focus of the HSE prevention of healthcare-associated infection clinical programme is to prevent cross infection by improving hand hygiene, antibiotic prescribing and indwelling device care (e.g. prevent urinary catheter and IV line infections) and monitoring compliance with National Infection Prevention and Control Standards.

I have been in touch with the Health Information Quality Authority (HIQA) on this important issue of the risk of cross-infection resulting from overcrowding in accident and emergency departments in our hospitals. The Authority's National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections and National Standards for Safer Better Healthcare are available to support and guide providers on the quality and safety of care they provide. These standards outline what a good, safe, service looks like and what the public can expect in terms of standard of care.

However, I remain concerned at the potential risk to patients if in overcrowded Emergency Department's and have discussed this with my Department and the HSE to see what further immediate action can be taken to reduce this potential risk.