The number of full-time consultants in emergency medicine should be trebled and committees should be set-up in every hospital to oversee emergency services, according to a report released today.
The Committee on Accident and Emergency Services' report, published by Comhairle na nOspideal, called for an increase in permanent consultant posts in emergency medicine from 21 to 55 initially, and later to 74 posts. This was needed to deal with the current crisis in Ireland’s Accident and Emergency Departments, it said.
The report also recommended establishing a Hospital Emergency Service Committee in each hospital to be chaired by the consultant in charge of emergency services in that hospital.
The committee called for standard protocols and procedures for discharge planning to be agreed in each health board area. These should be capable of being measured in a national context, the report said.
The report stressed that each hospital with an emergency department should consider the establishment of Minor Injury and Illness area to treat patients who have bypassed primary care.
Addressing the issue of the accreditation of NHCDs, it recommended that all NCHDs working in Emergency Departments should have access to accredited training opportunities.
The committee welcomed the developments that are taking place in relation to extending the role of nurses in Emergency Departments.