A&E Crisis
Mr. Gormley: I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to debate the following urgent matter: the record number of people now on trolleys, giving rise to what the IMO calls our worst ever accident and emergency crisis, due in part to the winter vomiting bug, and the need now for the Tánaiste to make a statement to this House about the setting up of a new unit in the HSE to deal with the accident and emergency crisis, how she intends to implement the ten-point plan and if she will finally recognise that the real problem here is the lack of capacity in terms of acute beds and beds in the community.
An Leas-Cheann Comhairle: Having considered the matters raised, they are not in order under Standing Order 31.
(later)
Mr. Gormley: Almost 500 people are lying on trolleys in appalling conditions in what is, according to the Government, one of the wealthiest countries in the world. On taking office as Minister for Health and Children, the Tánaiste told us she would deal with the crisis in accident and emergency services and, as the previous speaker noted, stated this would be the litmus test of her tenure in office. She established the Health Service Executive to deal with the accident and emergency crisis but it has worsened. She also stated she wanted to deliver a world-class health system. The position in hospitals throughout the country shows that the health system, far from being world-class, is worse than that of a Third World country. It is appalling.
When will the Tánaiste recognise that the problem is one of capacity? The experts have told us that more acute and community care beds are needed but the Tánaiste has not delivered on her promises in this regard. It is time she delivered although I do not believe she will be able to do so before the next general election. The electorate will have to judge her on her handling of the accident and emergency crisis, an issue on which she has lost the plot and is out of her depth. I hope that instead of establishing another task force she will inform the House of her proposals to deliver extra beds.
(later)
The Tánaiste: I was asked by Deputy Kenny about legislation to establish the Health Information and Quality Authority. On Tuesday, the Government approved the heads of that Bill and it is being published for an eight week period of consultation, which will lead to better debate in this House. It is hoped we will have the full Bill by the summer recess.
Accident and Emergency is a priority. Proportionately speaking, we have the same number of beds as the UK, even though our population of over 65s is 11% as against 17%.
Mr. Boyle: That makes no difference. The proportions are the same.
The Tánaiste: It is not only a matter of capacity but also of how we make use of it. That is why the HSE is working—–
Mr. Gormley: The experts do not say that.
Mr. D. Ahern: Let the Tánaiste answer.
Mr. Gormley: That is the truth.
Mr. D. Ahern: The Opposition has been heckling for half an hour. Let the Tánaiste answer.
Mr. Penrose: The Tánaiste is blaming everyone in the world except herself.
The Tánaiste: I am not blaming anybody.
Mr. Howlin: Listen to what the hecklers are saying.
Mr. Stagg: It must be a disease the Progressive Democrats has contracted.
Mr. D. Ahern: Fascists. Let the Tánaiste answer.
The Tánaiste: I am more than happy to take responsibility and ensure that problems are addressed. We have trebled the number of accident and emergency consultants, employed 7,500 more nurses in hospitals, opened 1,100 additional beds in four years—–
Mr. Stagg: Open the wards.
The Tánaiste: —–and have 2,200 more dental and other medical staff.
Mr. Gormley: The population has increased, however.
The Tánaiste: The situation is changing. At present, more than 100 beds are closed in our acute system because of the vomiting bug. That represents a considerable loss of capacity.
Mr. Durkan: The Tánaiste will not open them.
The Tánaiste: More than 100 beds across the country are closed. If we want to hear from an expert, let us listen to Dr. Lane, an accident and emergency consultant in Letterkenny hospital, who agreed there are pressures but believes there is light at the end of the tunnel and that change is taking place.
Mr. Gormley: Give Letterkenny their 70 beds.
The Tánaiste: However, change will only take place when we deal with issues in each hospital. Taking a hospital I know well, as Deputy Rabbitte does, Tallaght Hospital, it had a 1.9% increase for the accident and emergency department, and some weeks ago it had a 300% increase in people on trolleys. When representatives from the National Hospitals Office went into hospital and worked with people there, they were able to make dramatic improvements.
Discharge policies vary significantly from hospital to hospital. Unless we use the capacity provided by the taxpayer as effectively as possible, no amount of new beds will ever solve the problem.
Mr. Treacy: Hear, hear.
The Tánaiste: That is the reality. I hope I have the support—–
Mr. Gormley: Why is everybody saying that we need more beds in the system?
The Tánaiste: Not everybody is saying we need more beds in the system.
Mr. Gormley: According to the main experts, it is a capacity problem.
The Tánaiste: We have provided 1,100 more beds. The issue is also about how the beds are used.