Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)

The HSE has confirmed that Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda is experiencing some difficulty in the provision of services as outlined by Deputy O'Dowd. The executive is working to address these difficulties, which appear to have arisen due to staffing issues. The executive has confirmed there has been some curtailment recently in phlebotomy services due to staffing deficits resulting from staff resignations and increased activity pressures. The executive considers the phlebotomy service can appropriately be provided to patients in a community setting. Accordingly, hospital management and the primary, community and continuing care directorate are working together to finalise plans to facilitate the taking of bloods from GPs' patients in a local primary care setting.

Due to the refurbishment of the digital X-ray room at the hospital, patients referred to Drogheda by GPs will experience a delay until this refurbishment plan is completed. The HSE has advised that the refurbished facility will be operational by the end of December. However, GPs have been advised that their patients can be facilitated in the interim at both Louth County Hospital and Our Lady's Hospital, Navan.

There has been a temporary curtailment of outpatient physiotherapy services at the hospital due to staffing difficulties. A recruitment process is under way to replace staff who have left and appointments are to be expedited. While there has been some improvement as a result of existing staff working overtime, full restoration of the service will be possible only when the full staff complement is in place. The Department supports the achievement of this as soon as possible.

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