Number of emergency departments failing to meet national standardsMuireann DuffyEmergency departments (EDs) in a number of hospitals around the country are failing to meet national standards due to overcrowding, the Oireachtas Health Committee has been told. The Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) is appearing before the committee on Wednesday to answer questions on its 2022 annual report. In her opening statement to the committee, Hiqa chief executive Angela Fitzgerald said some of the hospitals concerned are further ahead in addressing overcrowding. Ms Fitzgerald told the committee that Hiqa's remit includes evaluating the clinical and cost-effectiveness of health technologies, advising the Minster for Health and the HSE on its findings. Ms Fitzgerald noted this role of assessing health technologies played an important role during the Covid pandemic, supporting the work of the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet).

Source: Irish Independent October 04, 2023 21:03 UTC