New HSE plan guarantees consultations 'within one hour'

Patients will be guaranteed to be seen by a senior doctor within an hour of arriving in hospital under radical new proposals to be adopted by the HSE.

According to today's Irish Times, the 'Acute Medicine Programme' is aimed at eradicating lengthy stays for patients on trolleys in A and Es.

The plans have the backing of HSE chiefs as well as groups including Patient Focus and the Irish Patients' Association.

The new programme is due to begin in up to three hospitals in January.