Aisling Dolan (Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister of State for attending. I am here to speak about the investment in Portiuncula University Hospital and Roscommon University Hospital, and the reason I am here is that our Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, nominated me to represent my region, Roscommon-Galway. As somebody who is quite new to public life, I have had the opportunity to fight for our region and make sure it is represented and stands out when it is fighting for balanced regional investment. That is the mark of the man who nominated me to be able to speak here about these hospitals.

In February 2023, the Taoiseach met the senior clinical team at Portiuncula University Hospital and had an opportunity to walk about the hospital and see the emergency department and the pressures the hospital is facing, but he also had the opportunity to see more than €34 million of investment in a 50-bed ward block that was allocated in 2019 during the tenure of the then Minister for Health, Deputy Harris. It is important we see this investment in our hospitals and for the future.

I acknowledge the Minister of State is taking this matter on behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, but I am here to speak about the expansion requirements around the emergency department. When the Taoiseach visited Ballinasloe last year, he very much saw the improvements, development and progress of the investment in the hospitals up to that point, but he also saw the pressures that are in the emergency department. Among all the hospitals in the Saolta University Health Care Group, this is the one emergency department that has not seen any work over recent years. I know there was strong support from Saolta, and now from the new regional executive for the north and north west, in seeing investment into the department. Currently, under the HSE capital plan, it is listed as being at design stage. Last year, we worked hard to ensure that project would be moved forward. I now want to see this project being treated as a priority and moving forward because it is for the more than 400,000 patients in four counties who use the hospital and call it their own.

I am also here today to speak on behalf of Roscommon University Hospital. There has been magnificent investment in the Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation and many volunteers came together to open this facility, with more than eight beds in the area. Roscommon University Hospital is giving palliative care staff for this. The hospital has seen a reduction in waiting lists.I know there are specialties in Portiuncula University Hospital in terms of plastics and reconstructive surgery. It is using leading edge and innovative technologies but what we also see here is a real increase in day surgeries. There has been more than a 15% to 20% increase in minor injury unit activity, and also in day surgeries. The challenge here is that people cannot get parking because the hospital is so busy.

We had an update from the Saolta University Hospital Health Care Group general manager there, Marie Doorly, who spoke about how they need what is basically a spatial development plan. I ask the Minister of State what needs to drive the spatial development plan because nothing else can happen in this hospital until we see the likes of improvements in the day surgery ward and the rehab unit planned for Roscommon University Hospital. We see new, unique skill sets and jobs being provided in the Roscommon area through this hospital but we need to make sure there is a plan for expansion. None of this can happen unless there is a HSE spatial development plan.

We have never seen a larger budget being allocated by the Government to the HSE capital plan and the Department of Health What we need to see is balanced regional development so that everyone on the island of Ireland receives the same care and services. That should be happening under this Government. That is what I want to see in terms of Portiuncula University Hospital and Roscommon University Hospital within the Saolta University Hospital Health Care Group.

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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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.

Aisling Dolan (Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister of State. That is indeed welcome news. It is fantastic that we will see the 50-bed ward block open by September of this year, I hope. It will be fantastic for the teams, managers, patients and families who rely on that hospital. As the Minister of State mentioned, access to additional space in the ED is particularly crucial.We are seeing the expansion of the ED. This will involve the provision of additional bays that will allow more space for paediatrics. We are seeing more families coming to live and work in the west. It is wonderful to see so many families expanding. More than 1,300 babies have been born in the maternity unit at Portiuncula hospital. Many people speak about how they were born in Portiuncula hospital in Ballinasloe. It is important that our paediatrics space is fit for purpose. This is very welcome news.

I welcome that it is in the HSE capital plan for this year. I know that we will be working closely with the teams and that the teams will be working closely with the HSE and the Department of Health in the context of equipping and fitting out the facility. The updated spatial plan is really necessary, with the 25-bed rehabilitation unit, the new clinical programmes and clinical spaces. I thank the teams for organising the meeting that has been arranged for April, which will be absolutely crucial.

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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I thank Senator Dolan for all her work in the context of healthcare at both hospitals. As I said, a meeting has been organised for April 2024. That will commence the process, which is very important. As I pointed out, the project has been included in the capital plan for 2024. The design team was procured in quarter 1 and is currently progressing with stage 1. Like the Senator, I will keep the pressure on the Minister. Hopefully, this will lead to the delivery of first-class healthcare for the people of the area.