Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

I take it that the Deputy is referring to a discussion document prepared by the joint department of medicine at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda and Louth County Hospital in advance of a meeting between the joint department and the National Hospitals Office. I have seen a copy of the document and I am advised that it is the subject of ongoing discussions between the National Hospitals Office and the joint department. It outlines an increase in volume and complexity of medical activity at both Drogheda and Dundalk hospitals and notes the concerns of the joint department for patients and staff arising from this increase in workload. It includes an endorsement of the Teamwork report, Improving Safety and Achieving Better Standards. In line with the recommendations of the report, the HSE is developing a single medical clinical network for the whole of the north-east region, including County Louth.

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