In today's edition of The Irish Times, new data suggests that almost 1,300 people died over the winter due to delays in hospital admissions from accident and emergency departments. That is 174 higher than the previous winter. To put this into context, this exceeds the 155 people who unfortunately died in road traffic accidents in Ireland last year. The report states, "...questions needed to be answered as to why patients were having to wait longer despite the addition of 132 beds last year" to the health service. Why is this acceptable in 2023 in Ireland?

The extrapolation used has been looked at by the Department and it has pointed out that there is a wide variety of views around the world on what the right figures are. Nonetheless, we are all aware that the longer waits in emergency departments come with a patient safety risk attached. It is an ongoing conversation I am having with the Department and I have had that conversation with the Chief Medical Officer as well. Ultimately, the aim is to reduce, insofar as is possible, the pressures through the winter to make sure people get the access they need and deserve.