Harney rejects criticism of A&E services
The Minister for Health has rejected criticism over A&E patient dissatisfation rates.
A new survey carried out by the HSE found that a quarter of people who visited accident and emergency departments were unsatisfied with their experience.
More than half were forced to wait over three hours before their first examination.
However Mary Harney this evening defended the service.
The Minister for Health admitted that there were pressure points within the system, but said the majority of people were satisfied with the service.
"I think 75% is a very high satisfaction level," she said.
"90% of those that attended said they would go back to the same A&E and I think that is encouraging.
"But I wouldn't be complacent, we cannot be smug about this - we have to continue to improve Accident and Emergency, and the Health Service generally."
