HSE plans measures to tackle A&E crisis

The Health Services Executive (HSE) is planning a number of measures to cut hospital queues.

Reacting to last night's Primetime Investigateson RTÉ, the chairwoman of the HSE's Accident and Emergency Taskforce, Angela Fitzgerald, said some GP tests will now be outsourced to the private sector in an attempt to cut the number of people waiting for diagnostics in hospitals.

"For any patient to experience what we saw is unacceptable," she told RTÉ radio today.

According to Ms Fitzgerald, attempts to tackle the delays for diagnostic tests are under way. She said staff were working out of hours, but a debate was needed about traditionally negotiated agreements.

Ms Fitzgerald said doctors may need to be working longer hours as a short-term measure "until we can get to a situation where diagnostics are working more routinely".

Too many tests are also being ordered, creating further delays. "Perhaps if there's a senior decision-maker making the decision earlier, then those tests may not be ordered," she said.

The HSE also said it is hoping to eliminate the need for trolleys and chairs on corridors by October or November this year. "The long stay issue in Dublin is a primary target for the winter," Ms Fitzgerald said.

In a separate statement, the HSE expressed its regret at the "discomfort and indignity" suffered by patients in A&E Departments. "Addressing these difficulties is our top priority," it said.

The HSE described the peak in numbers attending A&E Departments in the first three months of the year as unprecedented, adding that the overall number was up 10 per cent on the same period last year.

The HSE is hoping to cut waiting times in the emergency departments to less than six hours.