Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

First, I welcome the Minister and his delegation to the committee. As a Member of the Oireachtas representing the people of north Tipperary, I am very familiar with the problems and failures in the delivery of healthcare in the mid-west region. I was one of those representatives who continually went to the meetings, and after every meeting I left in frustration and anger because we were always painted the blue-skies picture. We were given misleading information. We were given objectives and targets that were unachievable and never met. I am glad that, at this stage, UHL is front and centre of the political debate and the consciousness of the public because we needed that to get changes and the proper service we require.

First, I welcome the changes to the governance structure. I welcome the initiatives to improve and reform procedures and practices at UHL and already, I as a public representative, from my communications with management, staff and patients, can see a difference. Already I can see there is more openness and transparency. My message, as a public representative, is that we are there in the first instance to look after the interests of the patient. Failures just have to be addressed and whatever needs to be done to improve the services must be done. I, as a public representative, am saying to the Minister that for whatever actions need to be taken and need to be implemented, he has to have the full support of all public representatives in doing that. We have to act in the best interests of the people we represent and who need healthcare. All corrective measures must be implemented as quickly as possible.

I have been following it as I was on the old health board for years but we have all seen massive investment in both personnel and resources in UHL. All of us, even laypeople, could see we were not getting a return on the investment being made. There was no improvement in the outcomes. I welcome the fact that these measures are now being taken but unfortunately they should have been taken years ago.

On Nenagh, which is obviously in my constituency, is a hugely important element and a critical component of healthcare delivery in the mid-west region. My priority has always been to protect Nenagh and its future and to have as many services delivered there for the people as locally as possible. We have an injury unit at Nenagh and I believe it is not being maximised to its full potential. I would say to the Minister and Ms Broderick that with regard to the injury unit, we can do a lot more to improve and extend the services there and have more people go directly to it.

On the medical assessment unit in Nenagh, we need to sit around the table with the professionals in the hospital, including the nursing staff, have dialogue with them, seek their co-operation and discuss it with them. Nobody expects that the medical assessment unit can have extended hours with the same level of staff. My understanding is that the Minister has already committed to additional staff and that recruitment processes are under way. Again, when you have somebody passing Nenagh and going in to Limerick which is already overcrowded, it is completely logical to make sure that GPs use the medical assessment unit. I ask that the Minister would meet with the GPs of our region, encourage them and explain to them what services the unit offers, and to listen to the GPs and see why it is they are not sending more patients to the medical assessment unit. They obviously have valid reasons, and whatever reasons they have need to be discussed, thrashed out and we need to take their views into account.

As for day-care surgery, I note there is a commitment to a new surgical unit in Limerick. That, I have to say, is probably necessary but what we need to do is to again ensure we are maximising the potential of the day surgery unit in Nenagh. At the moment, it is not being utilised to its maximum. There are days when there are slots available that are not being taken up.

On the new community nursing home in Nenagh, when was the contract signed for that and what is the duration of the contract? As we know, it was originally designed for the transfer of patients from St. Conlon's. How long is that temporary measure going to be in place?

On the 24-bed acute bed complement for Nenagh, has the actual location in the hospital been identified for that?

Has the design work on it started? What is the timescale for delivery?

My final question is for Ms Broderick. Is the HSE committed to the purchase of Mount Carmel, Roscrea? The Minister gave me a commitment on this previously. How advanced is the purchase? When is it expected to be completed?