Written answers
Wednesday, 17 January 2024
Department of Health
Emergency Departments
Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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1468. To ask the Minister for Health to provide the full details of the escalation protocol at the emergency department of UHL; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56397/23]
Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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1469. To ask the Minister for Health with respect to the escalating emergency in UHL to provide the criteria required to activate the escalation policy; how many patients were admitted; how many patients are awaiting treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56398/23]
Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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1470. To ask the Minister for Health with respect to the escalating emergency in UHL, if the criteria for escalation was met in the emergency department at UHL on 17 and 18 December 2022; if the escalation protocol was activated on the night of 17 and 18 December 2022 at the hospital; if the escalation protocol was implemented; if not, the reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56399/23]
Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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1471. To ask the Minister for Health with respect to the escalating emergency in UHL, UHL's recommended ratio of nursing staff to patients in the emergency department; the recommended doctor to patient ratio in the emergency department, that is, the number of nurses and doctors, respectively to the number of patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56400/23]
Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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1472. To ask the Minister for Health with respect to the escalating emergency in UHL, the figures on the nursing staff and doctors on duty in the emergency department on 17 and 18 December 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56401/23]
Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1468, 1469, 1470, 1471 and 1472 together.
Following a review of the tragic events in UHL in December 2022, and the very serious concerns identified in that report, the HSE Chief Executive has commissioned an independent investigation led by retired Chief Justice Frank Clarke. It is important that this investigation now progresses to provide an evidence-based report on the circumstances surrounding this incident and the outcome of this investigation is awaited.
As the Deputy’s questions relate to operational matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly on these.
As the Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday 6th October. As a consequence of this industrial action, members in these grades are not engaging with political forums or processes. As a result, the question asked by the Deputy may be delayed in receiving a response directly from the HSE.
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