Galway Clinic A&E move a 'step in the right direction' - Grealish

Galway Clinic A&E move a 'step in the right direction' - Grealish

galway.net , 27 January 2005

Progressive Democrats TD for Galway West Noel Grealish has welcomed today's decision by the Galway Clinic to begin offering A&E services on a limited basis from March. Deputy Grealish described the move 'as a step in the right direction in increasing A&E services in the Galway region and reducing pressure on accident and emergency departments in other hospitals.'

'While from March a limited A&E service will be available at the Galway Clinic, I look forward to the expansion of this service on a 24 hour basis as quickly as possible.'

'This is exactly the sort of initiative that we need to increase patient access to A&E, and reduce waiting time and pressure points.'

Deputy Grealish said the Tánaiste and Minister for Health Mary Harney was committed to tackling the difficulties that continue to beset A&E services across the country, and that the implementation of her 10 point A&E Action Plan will start having positive effects in the months ahead.

The 10-point A&E plan includes the development and expansion of minor injury units, chest pain clinics and respiratory clinics in hospitals to relieve pressure on A&E departments; the transfer of 100 high dependency patients to suitable private nursing home care, greater use of private nursing home beds to alleviate pressure on acute hospitals; negotiation with the private sector to meet the needs of 500 people annually for intermediate care of up to six weeks, expanded home care packages to support 500 additional older people at home; the provision of more out of hours GP services in order to keep people 's need to attend A&E to a minimum, dedicated cleaning services and security measures for A&E departments, the further expansion of palliative care facilities, and measures to enhance direct access for GPs to diagnostic services.

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