Health Minister Edwin Poots has sufficiently said enough for every MLA to say they asked, but no reassurance can be found in the Health Ministers response to show that action and accountability are paramount.
Without further action by the MLA's the asking of the question itself is pointless as the problems concerning Antrim Hosptial have been well documented over the past 2 years.
Patient Care at the Antrim Area Hospital Mr McGlone asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety; in light of the findings of the investigations carried out by Mary Hinds and Dr Ian Rutter, what immediate action will be taken in relation to patient care at the Antrim Area Hospital. (AQW 12057/11-15)
Mr Poots: The Health and Social Care Board will be reporting to the Department on the totality of the work on improving Emergency Department quality and performance and these reports make a helpful and important contribution to this work. As required by the Department, the Board is examining and applying the best available, evidence based, good practice in whole system, not just Emergency Department, management.
Accident and Emergency Departments: Waiting Time Targets
Mr McGlone asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what immediate action is being taken to address hospitals not meeting waiting time targets for their Accident and Emergency Departments. (AQW 12313/11-15)
Mr Poots: I have made it clear on a number of occasions that I want to see a significant improvement in the performance of Emergency Departments across Northern Ireland, and I want a clear assurance that the quality and safety of services is up to acceptable standards. To address this issue the Health and Social Care Board, working with the Public Health Agency, has
established an Emergency Department Improvement Action Group as part of a three month programme to secure a step-change improvement in 12 hour and 4 hour performance and to the patient experience. The Group is working with all Trusts across Northern Ireland to secure improvements.