Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for affording me the opportunity to raise this important matter. It was with deep regret that I learned of the content of a recent planning brief drawn up on behalf of the management and board of St. Michael's Hospital in Dún Laoghaire. This hospital has been part of the fabric of the greater Dún Laoghaire area for many years and has provided, and continues to provide, a wonderful service for thousands of people, including myself, over that period.

It appears that this report was carried out as a result of a recent inquest being told that there had been instances in St. Michael's of a virulent new strain of a hospital-acquired bug which is fatal in one in 12 cases. I will outline some of the disturbing facts stated in this report. The hospital building is at the end of its useful life. The operating theatres, their direct support and the day ward are functionally, spatially and technically obsolete. They offer patients and staff an inappropriate environment for the delivery of contemporary elective surgery and other investigations and treatments. The physical layout is inefficient. Existing space is grossly inadequate and environmental control systems are either absent, inadequately provided or obsolete.

A recent decontamination review observed that processing facilities incorporate no physical barrier between areas in which soiled instruments are received and washed and those in which clean and sterilised material are handled. There is no clear system to dispose of contaminated material. The scrub area attached to the main theatre can only be approached through the theatre or via a staff rest room. Room surfaces are finished in materials now considered inappropriate. The second floor day ward is not directly adjacent to either operating theatre which creates difficulties because of a lack of a bed lift. These are only some of the items specified in this recent report.

I am aware that the management and board have plans to upgrade this very important facility, which carries out just under 6,000 mainly routine surgical procedures annually. They plan to expand on the services currently offered, including an increase in the capacity of the day ward so that day cases can account for 70% of all surgery instead of the current 50%. This target is consistent with trends in Ireland and health systems in most advanced countries.

In light of the disturbing facts contained in this report, I am looking for a commitment that the Minister for Health and Children and the HSE will provide the financial support to allow the management of this hospital to proceed immediately with the upgrading and construction works. Unfortunately, the Minister is not here. It is not acceptable that these necessary works are put on the long finger and that we will have to wait a number of years before this hospital is restored to its rightful place as one of the leaders in the provision of first-class medical services.

The Acting Chairman and I have been Members of this House for a long time. Important issues are raised on the Adjournment. I wish to put a protest on record. I have nothing against the Minister for State, who is not responsible for the Department of Health and Children, but the preceding speaker also raised a very important matter in the health area when no Minister from the Department of Health and Children was present.

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