An improvement programme for Beaumont Hospital’s emergency department (ED) is “contributing to measurable operational gains”, according to the hospital.
In late 2025, the hospital’s board heard that a “comprehensive improvement programme” was underway to address ED waiting times.
“…. Beaumont Hospital’s ED continues to experience elevated demand, with attendances up 4 per cent year-to-date, and performance metrics lagging behind national averages,” stated minutes of the meeting on 3 November last.
Dr Sass Hayes, Clinical Director, Emergency Medicine Directorate, told the meeting the hospital had the eighth busiest ED nationally and the fourth busiest for over-75s. She advised there was a clear aim to reduce patient experience times (PET).
Ms Claire Noonan, Chief Operations Officer, outlined that an improvement programme was underway, which targeted a reduction in PET by year-end. This programme included the launch of a “streamlined triage model, expansion of Zone 4 to 24/7 service, activation of a new ED CT scanner and development of a 24/7 Acute Admission Unit”.
Ms Noonan also briefed the board on discharge targets and the ‘time to first doctor’. Chairperson Ms Pauline Philip noted that the board had on occasion received direct feedback from patients regarding ED performance and the ‘time to first doctor’ had been highlighted previously. The Lead Clinical Director, Dr Mark Given, referenced “complex issues” and noted that ED performance was a standing item at the clinical directors’ forum.
Ms Noonan further highlighted a “significant deficit rate” in terms of nursing vacancies in emergency care, according to the minutes released under Freedom of Information law.
A Beaumont Hospital spokesperson told the Medical Independent: “A number of the emergency department improvement measures discussed at the November board meeting have now been implemented and are contributing to measurable operational gains.”
“We are seeing sustained improvement in triage performance, with a higher proportion of patients triaged within 15 minutes, and faster turnaround times from CT ordering to reporting for emergency department patients. These reflect the impact of revised workflows and improved access to diagnostics. The expansion of Zone 4 is intended to provide a 24/7 rapid ambulatory assessment area focused on seeing, treating, and discharging suitable patients without admission. The requisite staffing supports have been approved to support full round-the-clock operation, and recruitment is in progress.”
The spokesperson added: “Recruitment across emergency care remains a key priority. While significant progress has been achieved in strengthening the nursing workforce, challenges persist in a highly competitive recruitment environment. Implementation of consultant rostering under the public‑only contract is progressing in accordance with national guidance and service needs.”
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