Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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259. To ask the Minister for Health the extent to which waiting times at accident and emergency can be reduced further by identifying those requiring more serious interventions for attention at a different location within a hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54694/13]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Since my appointment as Minister for Health, I have set out to address the issues which cause delays in patients being treated in our hospitals. I established the Special Delivery Unit, which is working to unblock access to acute services by improving patient flow through the system. Significant progress has been made on reducing the numbers of patients on hospital trolleys in Accident and Emergency Departments, against a background of reduced funding for health, reconfiguration of services and a very challenging economic climate. The Development of Assessment and Admission Facilities by the HSE have further reduced pressure on Emergency Departments. The recent National advancement of Acute Medical Units (AMU), Medical Assessment Units (MAU), Surgical Assessment Units (SAU) and Paediatric Assessment Units (PAU) are designed to ensure rapid alternative assessment and, where necessary, admission of emergency patients.

The primary function of such facilities is the immediate and early specialist management of patients, providing a dedicated location for the rapid assessment, diagnosis and commencement of appropriate treatment. Consultants, supported by a multidisciplinary team, carry out patient assessment and treatment. If required, patients can be admitted to the short stay medical beds within the unit for a short period for acute treatment and/or observation where the estimated length of stay is less than 48 hours. In smaller hospitals, admission may be to inpatient beds. A total of 29 AMUs / MAUs, 4 PAUs and 1 SAU are currently established and functioning. The total volumes of activity for these units in 2013 is as follows: AMU same day discharge: 37,662 / admission 26,342; PAS: 5447 attendances and SAU: 2139 attendances.

Year to Date trolley numbers in 2013 are down 13.1% on last year. This equates to a reduction of 8,446 patients on trolleys year on year. Compared to 2011, the year to date improvement is 34%, equivalent to a reduction of 28,913 patients on trolleys.