Launch of the National Emergency Medicine Programme (EMP)

- Blueprint for the development of Emergency Care in Ireland –

- Emergency Care Networks nationwide will mean improved services for patients -

The Report of the Emergency Medicine Programme (EMP) was published today (Tuesday, 19^th June 2012) after extensive consultation with patients and frontline staff across the health services.

The Programme, which has been developed by doctors, nurses, therapists and other clinicians working in Emergency Departments and in pre-hospital care, sets out an unprecedented programme of reform for how Emergency Services are delivered in Ireland. The aim of the Emergency Medicine Programme is to improve the safety and quality of care and to reduce waiting times for patients in Emergency Departments.

The EMP is a blueprint for the future development of emergency care in Ireland. It sets out an ambitious programme of work that includes the development of new models of care for the treatment of patients, expanding the roles of nurses and increasing the level of Consultant-provided care. The Programme also sets out to improve ED efficiency and to implement new clinical guidelines in emergency care.

The EMP recommends that services should be delivered through collaborative networks of Emergency Departments within regions. The development of these Emergency Care Networks will mean that patients can receive the same high quality of treatment irrespective of when or where they seek emergency care. Emergency Care Networks will work closely with pre-Hospital care, hospital based services and primary care to ensure patients can access the care they need in the most appropriate setting.

New clinical governance structures and practices are set out in detail to drive improvement in the quality, efficiency and cost-effectiveness of patient care. This will involve clearly defined authority, accountability and responsibility for all members of emergency care teams.

The Emergency Medicine Programme will work collaboratively with the other Clinical Programmes and the SDU to improve overall patient experience in line with the other initiatives currently underway in the health services.  

Speaking at the launch today Dr Una Geary, National Clinical Lead, Emergency Medicine Programme said ‘The aim of the EMP is to improve how patients can access emergency care, to ensure that patients receive  high quality care consistently in all Emergency Departments   and to improve efficiency in how emergency care is delivered. This can be achieved through better organisation of services and adopting efficient, evidence-based ways of providing patient care in EmergencyDepartments. We will work collaboratively with patient groups, other National Clinical Programmes, the Department of Health and the HSE to deliver sustainable improvement in emergency care.” 

Mr Mark Doyle, President, Irish Association for Emergency Medicine commented that ‘The report is a much needed first step and is crucial in providing the road map for future development and continuous improvement in our emergency services. Its success will be measured by the degree to which it is implemented and this will require sustained effort and support from across the health services over the coming months and years.

Dr Barry White, HSE National Director of Clinical Programmes & Strategy, said; “We know there are unacceptable delays in some Emergency Departments but there are excellent staff who are working hard and there are examples of excellent practice in our country's EDs. The Report of the Emergency Medicine Programme is a resource for frontline staff so that this good practice can be shared and standarised around the country. The implementation of the Programme will ensure a consistent high quality of care for patients in our Emergency Departments no matter when or where they need emergency care.” 

What the National Emergency Medicine Programme means for patients

• Patients being assessed and either discharged or admitted within 6 hours of arrival in an Emergency Department.
• Patients receiving the same high standards of emergency care wherever they access services as all Emergency Departments and Emergency Care Networks are part of a single National Emergency Care System.
• The most up to date evidence based treatments being available to patients through the use of National Clinical Guidelines and protocols.
• Emergency Care Network services being continuously measured and improved to protect patient safety and the quality of care they receive.
• Patients’ experiences of emergency care being measured and considered in the development of services. 

The EMP report is the result of extensive consultation with stakeholders across the spectrum of emergency care in Ireland and aims to improve safety, quality, access and value of care for patients.

The report is available here.

 -ENDS-

Notes to Editors

Background to the Emergency Medicine Programme

The EMP was initiated by Dr Barry White, HSE Director of Clinical Strategy and Programmes, in July 2010.  Its overarching aim is to improve quality, access and value in Irish Emergency Departments (EDs) and to reduce waiting times for patients.  The EMP working group is comprised of nurses, doctors, therapists and other clinicians who work in Irish EDs and Pre-hospital Care.  It is supported by advisory groups from the medical training bodies, nursing and the therapy professions.  It met with patient representatives, ED staff from across the country and with many groups involved in emergency care during the development of the EMP Report.