Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 825: To ask the Minister for Health if he will respond to the attached submission (details supplied) regarding better services for accident and emergency units in all hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22655/11]

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 828: To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding reducing patients on trolleys in our accident and emergency departments. [22695/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 825 and 828 together.

I have stated on a number of occasions that the waiting times for admission for patients attending Emergency Departments in many hospitals are not acceptable. I am determined to address this situation. In this regard the Deputies will be aware that recently I established the Special Delivery Unit and assigned to it as a priority the task of addressing the many issues arising in Hospital Emergency Departments.

The difficulties in Emergency Departments cannot be solely resolved within the Emergency Departments themselves. Instead they must be addressed on the basis of a health-system wide approach. In particular, overcrowding in Emergency Departments has many causes and any solution to the 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 their treatment there.

The issue of staffing levels in Emergency Departments, as in the other areas of hospitals, is a matter for the management of the hospitals and the HSE in the first instance. 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 particular, Emergency Departments.

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 with 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.