Fine Gael Cork South Central TD, Jerry Buttimer, has said that reduced waiting times at Emergency Departments (EDs) in Cork is due to the dedication of frontline staff and reforms implemented by the Minister for Health, James Reilly, TD.
“The number of people waiting on trolleys in the Emergency Departments at CUH and Mercy Hospitals from 3rd to 25th January has dropped significantly from the same time last year. Comparing this year’s figures with 2011, there were 235 fewer people waiting on trolleys between the two hospitals.
“The CUH had a reduction of 95 people or 16%, while the Mercy saw a reduction of 140 people or 59%. These improvements are testament to the dedication and tremendous work done by frontline health staff in both hospitals. It also shows that the Special Delivery Unit (SDU), set up by the Minister for Health James Reilly, TD, is achieving real results.
“The initial priorities of the SDU were to reduce waiting times in Emergency Departments and for scheduled care and also to improve access to diagnostics. The SDU prepared a Winter Capacity Plan and invested over €4.8 million in opening intermediate care beds, purchasing Nursing Home places, providing additional home care packages and increasing out of hours diagnostic services.
“While these improvements are welcome there is a need to set new targets for the next twelve months. The Minister has said that the next set of targets will aim to ensure that 95% of people will be no longer than six hours on a trolley and that no-one should wait longer than nine months for elective treatment in hospitals.
“At a time when funding is limited, improved and reformed health services can only be delivered by changing work practices. So far, this has been possible because of dedication and commitment by frontline health staff. The staff must be congratulated for their efforts; without their support the Minister and the HSE would not be able to deliver an improved health service.”