Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Yes. All acute medicine was transferred to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, in July 2010. A minor injury unit was established at the time in Louth County Hospital, Dundalk. The aforementioned unit provides for patients aged 14 and upwards who present with less serious injuries that do not require hospital admission. Day surgeries are in place and since mid-August, an additional scoping room is operational. Moreover, a new endoscopic extension commenced in July and is due to be completed in September 2012. A full general outpatient service is in place in Louth County Hospital, which will be expanded further as part of the general reorganisation of the Louth hospital medical clinics and the national clinical care programme of 2011, including diabetic foot care, heart failure and pulmonary rehabilitation. A broad range of outpatient services is in operation at present, including, to name but a few, orthopaedic gynaecological, medical, surgical, X-rays, CT and ultrasound services.

The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and Children has agreed to visit Daisy Hill Hospital, Newry in the coming months. In the future, what will be the position in respect of sharing services with our Northern counterparts and vice versa to place patient safety first? I ask the witnesses to comment on this prospect.