Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

I am aware of the development proposals of the former Western Health Board for new and refurbished health facilities on the site of the former Grove Hospital in Tuam. This project has become known as the Tuam health campus. This site was acquired from the Bon Secours Order some years back and while a development control plan was prepared, this has not yet been advanced due to more urgent capital investment priorities.

In November 2005, I visited the east Galway area and, in a meeting with local management, was appraised of the HSE's development plans for the Tuam area, including a community hospital, an ambulance base, a primary care centre, mental health services and administrative facilities. I urged that these plans be advanced in accordance with its service plan and capital programme. My staff have maintained ongoing informal contact with the HSE since then.

The capital plan of the executive for 2006 has been agreed by me and provision has been made for the phased development of the Tuam health campus. I am advised the HSE has commenced the process of recruiting a project manager for the development. The immediate task of the project manager will be to review the current pattern of service provision in the area in respect of all existing and planned services. This will update the planning brief previously prepared for the site in 2002.

In addition to maximising the integration of all health and social services on the site, the HSE will explore possibilities for inter-agency and inter-sectoral co-operation for the benefit of the town and the people of Tuam.

The HSE believes that a significant opportunity now exists to develop a model integrated primary and continuing care facility on the Grove Hospital site and I fully support this perspective. The funding required to complete such a facility will be significant and it is a matter for the HSE to determine the priorities for investment in line with the resources available to it over the coming years.

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