Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 212: To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding an investigation into a death (details supplied) at a hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36680/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Firstly may I offer my condolences to the family that the Deputy refers to in his question. As you are aware, my main objective as Minister for Health is to address the problems which have resulted in a health care system that all too often does not perform to a sufficiently high standard. I can assure you that I am determined to address these health care issues and to ensure that the patient always remains central in our health care system.

Immediately following my appointment I set about establishing the Special Delivery Unit (SDU) to unblock access to acute services by improving the flow of patients through the system. The SDU is focusing initially on emergency departments and will be working to support hospitals in addressing excessive waiting times for admission to hospital. The SDU is working closely with the HSE to support performance management. As part of that work, the SDU is establishing an infrastructure based on information collection and analysis. As a result of this exercise Beaumont Hospital was identified as a hospital that requires intense support from the SDU.

I can confirm that Beaumont Hospital will receive over €400,000 in additional once off funding to help alleviate the emergency department pressures. This funding will be used in a number of ways including the provision of additional discharge care packages and increased bed capacity. I am confident that the implementation of these measures will result in an improved service in the emergency department in Beaumont Hospital.

I am not aware of the investigations that the Deputy refers to. I have arranged for the question to be forwarded to the HSE who will respond to you directly in relation to investigations that maybe taking place under the auspices of the HSE. The HSE has provided for a robust complaints mechanism, information regarding this can be accessed on the HSE website via http://www.hse.ie/eng/services/ysys/Complaints/HowTo/