Dr. Orla Healy:

The hospital group's report reiterates that Waterford is a model 4 hospital. We intend to maintain Waterford as a model 4 hospital, develop it and have at least one anchoring specialty for the group based in Waterford.

I do not see the group structure threatening Waterford hospital's status in any way, certainly from the perspective of the hospital group.

I have addressed the point made about the catchment area. The hospital continues to draw from a wider catchment for certain specialties. We see the group structure as providing an opportunity to support the development of specialties in Waterford hospital, rather than the reverse.