Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Colm Burke for raising these matters. On his proposal to use the South Infirmary for cataract operations, as an example I refer to the investment we made through the NTPF working with the HSE in Nenagh hospital, where the hospital group came forward with a proposal to say that it had underutilised theatres and with an investment of about €1 million, from memory, that it could open a centre of excellence for cataract procedures. That has dramatically reduced waiting times and waiting lists for cataract procedures. My opening statement noted the significant fall we had seen in the waiting times for ophthalmology. The Senator has sent his proposal to myself and the HSE. I suggest that the HSE and NTPF, working together, could consider that in the context of 2020. I do not know enough about the individual projects but to be clear, we are very eager, and it is Government policy, to use the NTPF resource, which is now up at €100 million, to increase capacity in the public health service, where possible, rather than using the private health service. It is necessary to use the private health service from time to time but where possible, the public health service should be used. We certainly will look at it through that prism. I will also ask Dr. Henry to comment.

On the population of Cork, which the Senator consistently and robustly raises, he is correct about the population of Cork having grown so much and that the bed stock and health service needs to grow to fit the population. I have received initial proposals and feedback from the South-South West hospital group on its views on an elective hospital for Cork. Under the Sláintecare implementation office, we established an expert group to look at what an elective hospital is, without being smart about it. Different countries do different things, so it is asking what is provided in an elective hospital and what is not provided.

There are different models around the world. We expect to be in a position at the start of 2020, which is only weeks away, although it sounds ages away, to move forward on site selection. Dr. Henry might wish to add to my points on both issues.