30 June 2006
Northern Ireland Health Minister Paul Goggins has promised to dramatically reduce bed-blocking, which at present accounts for the use of 200 to 300 beds per day in the province's hospitals.
Goggins said that a new target was being created of all patients being discharged from hospital within 72 hours of being declared fit by March 2008.
While it will be for area health boards and trusts to decide how to meet the target, Goggins predicted a big increase in community facilities.
In addition, nurses will be used more often to authorise hospital discharges, to reduce blocking caused by the non-availability of consultants.
In a speech to senior health service managers, Goggins also disclosed that at present about 140 patients each week — many frail and elderly — lie on hospital trolleys for more than 12 hours while they wait for treatment or admission.
'This situation is intolerable,' said Goggins, who promised that trolley waits above four hours would be eliminated by March 2008.
In a further announcement, Goggins said that for the first time the health service in Northern Ireland will use advice from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence on approval and use of drugs.
PFjun2006
