Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Dolan for all of her work on Portiuncula Hospital. I know she has been a very strong advocate in government, with the Taoiseach and the Minister for Health, Deputy Stephen Donnelly. The Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, acknowledges the work of Senator Dolan and thanks her for the opportunity to provide an update on the progress on the emergency Department expansion in Portiuncula University Hospital and the Roscommon University Hospital spatial development plan.

Portiuncula University Hospital is part of the Saolta University Hospital Health Care Group. Portiuncula University Hospital is a model 3 hospital operating a 24-7 emergency department with more than 26,000 emergency department, ED, attendances per year. Portiuncula University Hospital provides acute surgery, medicine, critical care, day care oncology, maternity, neonatal and paediatric services.

The capital plan 2024 is with the Minister for Health, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, for review and approval. The capital plan 2024 will be published in line with established procedures once it is approved. A capital submission for the expansion of the emergency department at Portiuncula University Hospital was submitted for consideration by the national capital and property review group in March 2023 and was approved by the group in May 2023. This project will increase the number of bays in the emergency department by nine. Currently there are 14 treatment bays and two resuscitation bays. This will provide capacity to deal with children in a segregated area of the department. Support facilities shall also be provided.

I can confirm, on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, that the emergency department expansion is in the capital programme 2024 and the design team was procured in quarter 1 of 2024 and is currently progressing with the initial stage one design of the project.

Other developments ongoing in Portiuncula University Hospital include the construction phase of the new 50-bed ward block which is due to be completed by quarter 2 of 2024. Following handover to the HSE, the new 50-bed ward block is expected to be in service and occupied in quarter 4 of 2024 upon the completion of the following: equipping, fit-out and furnishing of the unit; familiarisation training of medical staff on newly installed systems; and registration of the new building with the Health Information and Quality Authority.

Roscommon University Hospital is a model 2 hospital also within the Saolta University Health Care Group. HSE capital and estates has confirmed it is liaising with Roscommon University Hospital and the Saolta University Hospital Health Care Group on the recommencement of a spatial plan for Roscommon University Hospital. An updated spatial plan is required to allow for a 25-bed rehabilitation unit, new clinical programmes and associated outpatient clinical space at the hospital.

The design process for the 25-bed rehabilitation unit will be progressed in parallel with the updated spatial plan for the entire campus at Roscommon University Hospital. A meeting has been arranged for early April 2024 to commence this process.

All capital development proposals must progress through a number of approval stages, in line with the infrastructure guidelines which supersede the public spending code, including detailed appraisal, planning, design and procurement before funding for each stage can be confirmed. The successful completion of the various approval stages will determine the timeline for delivery of the capital projects.