Máire Hoctor (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)

I will be taking the Adjournment on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Health and Children. The Department has been advised by the HSE that the report to which the Deputy refers was prepared by management at St. Michael's Hospital. In order to address the issues outlined in the report, the HSE, as part of its ongoing capital programme, has recently approved in principle a capital project which will allow for the development of facilities at St. Michael's. It will involve new operating theatres and recovery facilities, a new theatre sterile supply unit and a new day procedures unit, including facilities for day surgery, endoscopy and minor surgical and medical procedures

The HSE has indicated that the selection of a design team for the project will commence shortly and it is expected that design and detailed planning will commence in early 2008. The decontamination review and hygiene audit referred to in the newspaper article are national initiatives to address quality and risk issues in service delivery.

A decontamination review and assessment took place in St. Michael's Hospital in November 2006. The HSE has advised that the hospital has taken steps to address the issues raised and this is reflected in the planning brief. Similarly, an assessment of hygiene services took place in the hospital during August 2007. Measures have now been put in place to address concerns that were identified. The HSE has assured the Department that patient care is not being adversely affected in the interim.

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