Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

I will be taking this Adjournment matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney. I reiterate the Minister's continuing commitment to developing Connolly Memorial Hospital in a way that best meets the needs of patients. This commitment is underlined by the investment that we have made in the hospital in recent years. Phase one of the redevelopment of the hospital, which was completed at a cost of €107 million, provided accommodation for a modern accident and emergency department, including a minor injuries unit. This project also included the provision of theatres, intensive and critical care units, day surgery facilities, an acute psychiatric unit, a mental health day hospital and ward accommodation of approximately 180 replacement beds. The new emergency department has 23 cubicles, three chest pain assessment bays and three high observation areas. In 2007, the hospital received 32,000 emergency presentations resulting in the admission of 8,000 patients. In 2008, the hospital saw 28,000 emergency presentations and admitted 6,500 patients by October. The emergency department has approximately 100 staff including 53 nursing and 17 medical staff. Refurbishment of the surgical block was completed early in 2008 at a cost of €14.36 million and included a department of medicine for older people incorporating 56 replacement beds and day hospital and a medical day unit with endoscopy facilities and respiratory medicine department.

A range of diagnostic services are provided at the hospital and appointments are allocated on a priority basis based on clinical need. Urgent X-ray requests are processed either on the same day or within 24 hours, while urgent chest X-rays are seen on the same day. All ultrasound and barium study referrals are assessed by a consultant radiologist and allocated on a priority basis. With regard to urgent requests, the general practitioner contacts the consultant radiologist directly and the request is processed as soon as possible. The hospital received approval and funding in the order of €2.5 million for a replacement CT scanner. It is expected this will be operational in 2009.

All patients' clinical requirements for MRI are met through Beaumont hospital or the purchase of private capacity. There is no waiting list for this service. At present, the activity level generated by Connolly hospital for this service is below the required norms for an MRI. Diagnostic activity levels at the hospital are increasing, however, and the HSE will continue to monitor the situation with a view to developing increased capacity if required.

I thank Deputy Burton for raising this matter. I am happy to confirm that Connolly hospital continues to be an integral part of acute hospital services, as evidenced by the significant investment made in recent years in developing services.

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