Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)

I thank Deputy Morgan for raising this matter on the Adjournment. In raising the matter, he provides me with an opportunity to outline to the House the position on the development of services across the Louth-Meath hospital group. The Department is advised by the Health Service Executive that there are no plans to downgrade Louth County Hospital, Dundalk, and that the hospital is guaranteed an active role in the delivery of acute hospital services within the group.

This policy is reflected by recent service developments such as the establishment of a joint department of surgery between Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, and Louth County Hospital, Dundalk, in January 2005. This development has resulted in increased elective activity in Louth County Hospital and a reduction in waiting lists on both sites. In April 2004 the Department approved the appointment of a design team to prepare an outline development control plan for the hospital. Design teams have been appointed to advance the provision of two modular theatres at a capital cost of €3 million and for the upgrading of the kitchens at Louth County Hospital at an estimated capital cost of €1.4 million. A cardiac rehabilitation unit opened at the hospital in 2002, an additional 14 beds were provided under the national bed capacity initiative at a full-year revenue cost of almost €1.5 million, a new consultant physician with a special interest in endocrinology was appointed in April 2004 to support these beds, and a new consultant in emergency medicine has been appointed with sessional commitments to Louth County Hospital. The Department sanctioned the purchase of almost seven acres of land at Louth County Hospital in December 2003 at a cost of €2.6 million.

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