A 12-week pilot at Letterkenny University Hospital, aimed at improving Emergency Department flow through a consultant-led Acute Medical Assessment service on Saturdays, has been recommended for discontinuation.
The pilot was introduced under new contracts between the State and hospital consultants, with the public-only consultant contract a key priority for Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill.
Consultants rostered for the Saturday service saw just five patients during the pilot, which ran from April to June, according to reporting by The Irish Times.
A HSE report found there were no measurable impacts on Emergency Department flow, while agency staffing costs increased and consultant availability during the week were reduced.
In response, the HSE says capacity pressures meant the Acute Medical Assessment Units (AMAU) were used for inpatient surge capacity on some weekends, limiting the pilot’s evaluation.
It says Letterkenny University Hospital is now reviewing weekend referrals and diagnostic capacity.
They are engaging with their consultants to ensure their services are meeting the needs of the public across weekends.
