Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Health if there is a triage service available in the accident and emergency department of Naas General Hospital, County Kildare; the measures being taken to alleviate the number of patients on trolleys in the A & E department, which is one of the highest average figures in Leinster; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46460/12]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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In July of last year I announced the establishment of the Special Delivery Unit as a key part of my plans to radically reform the health system in Ireland. The Unit’s purpose is to improve access to the emergency and elective care system. Since it was established last year, it has been working to unblock access to acute services by improving patient journeys through the system and by streamlining waiting lists, including GP referrals. I am pleased to be able to say that very significant progress has been made to date by the SDU in relation to both emergency departments and waiting lists.

A major priority has been to improve access to emergency care and I welcome the fact that for significant numbers of patients, the experience in our emergency departments has been markedly improved. From January to October, the number of patients waiting on trolleys fell by 23.5% compared to the same period last year - that equates to 16,901 fewer patients waiting on trolleys. The 30 day moving average (average number of trolleys over 30 days) has fallen by 31.9% in 12 months, from 361 on 21 October 2011 to 246 on 19 October 2012. On the 22nd October 2012 in Naas General Hospital, there were 9 patients on trolleys at 8 a.m.

I have asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy concerning the triage service at the Emergency Department of Naas General Hospital.