Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)

The Deputy will be aware that the Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive has the responsibility to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. This includes responsibility for the provision of services at Kerry General Hospital.

The Department of Health and Children has been advised by the Health Service Executive southern area that a project group has been established and is preparing a statement of need for the upgrading and extension of the existing accident and emergency department at Kerry General Hospital. The proposed development includes a resuscitation room, X-ray facilities, extra treatment and observation places, improved waiting areas and special facilities for children.

The detailed capital funding programme for hospitals for 2005 is being finalised in the context of the Capital Investment Framework 2005-2009. This process will be concluded in the near future and the Health Service Executive will then be in a position to make progress on its capital programme, in line with overall funding resources available in 2005 and beyond. A decision on the extension and upgrading of the accident and emergency department at Kerry General Hospital will be made in the context of the agreed capital framework for the executive.

A medical assessment unit was established at Kerry General Hospital in 1993. The main objective identified for the unit was to give priority access to GP patients who may not necessarily need admission to hospital but who need urgent medical assessment. Another objective was to assist the hospital bed management services in managing bed demand.

As the Deputy is aware, the unit is open from Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The HSE recognises that for the unit to fulfil its full potential and to alleviate waiting periods in the accident and emergency department, it would be necessary to extend the opening hours to a full 24 hours per day, seven days per week service.

The additional resources required to operate the unit on a 24-hour basis is a matter for the Health Service Executive to consider in the context of available resources. I am confident that Kerry General Hospital will continue to provide high quality services to the people of Kerry.

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