Seán Ardagh (Dublin South Central, Fianna Fail)

Improvements have occurred in the health system in recent years. St. James's Hospital, which is in my constituency, is a prime example of that. The Minister says she will put acute medical admission units into various hospitals around the country, but such a unit has been in St. James's Hospital for more than a year. It is the most successful initiative that has been taken to deal with the accident and emergency problem in that hospital. It has allowed seriously ill patients to be treated in a separate area away from those with only minor injuries. The system works very well and I commend the Minister for putting more acute medical admission units in place.

Phase 1H at St. James's Hospital is now opening as a result of the money being provided in the Estimates. That phase will provide 66 new beds, comprising 41 new long-term beds and 25 day surgery beds. There will be a further six beds in the oncology and haematology unit, in addition to the ten beds for day surgery. That represents a 60% increase for day patients receiving chemotherapy or other cancer treatment.

The day ward capacity in St. James's oncology and haematology department is increasing by 50% and is being transferred from old premises to a modern hi-tech building where the services and facilities for patients will be second to none. That will open in early December this year. A further 15 day-beds will become available in the first quarter of 2005. The 41 new long-term beds will be put into service then, also.

The first phase of the accident and emergency expansion at that hospital will be opened in early January 2005. By the end of next year, the accident and emergency section in St. James's Hospital will have doubled in size. This expansion reflects the Government's commitment to health services in Dublin south-central. I commend the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, as well as her predecessors, Deputies Martin and Cowen. The latter started the ball rolling on all these matters.

I commend the Bill to the House and hope it will be passed quickly so that we can put in place the type of reforms necessary to provide people with a health service they deserve.

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