Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)

I raise the issue of services in St. John's Hospital in Limerick and seek clarity on it in the context of the proposed so-called reconfiguration of acute hospital services in the mid-west. There are a number of concerns.

There is an accident and emergency department which is open from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. and there have been suggestions this could be under threat. I do not believe it is but I would like confirmation that the department will continue to operate between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Will it operate five days or seven days per week? The facilities in Ennis and Nenagh are different because they are in operation 24 hours a day. The proposal is that they will lose hours but I believe this will not be the case with St. John's Hospital. Will the Minister of State clarify that?

According to the Teamwork-Horwath report, the suggestion is that the accident and emergency department in the hospital be a nurse-led facility. In the press statement by the Health Service Executive on the publication of the report, it was stated the department would be doctor-led, and I seek confirmation on this. This is in no way to show disrespect to nurses. What is the future of surgery in the hospital? There were questions raised over the possible removal of surgery facilities from the three smaller hospitals in the region but I understand that may not happen and St. John's Hospital may keep its surgery.

Almost all the ground floor of the hospital is closed for money saving reasons. It is a popular hospital in the centre of the city and there is great loyalty to it and fondness for it. Many people choose to go there if possible rather than going to the larger regional hospital. Will the Minister of State confirm that there will be full bed availability in the hospital and that cutbacks will not lead to bed closures? It is ironic that the Minister is talking about trying to provide more beds while beds are closed.

I visited the hospital some months ago and they showed me plans for an extension. There is space for this. The hospital is very efficient and there are plans for further services if they get permission for the extension. I seek clarification on this issue. St. John's Hospital is complementary to the Mid Western Regional Hospital in what it does. It has a very good minor injuries clinic which takes the pressure off the accident and emergency department in the regional hospital. This is recognised as being very efficient.

I hope the Minister of State's response will be positive. My understanding is that many of the issues I have raised will have a positive response. There is much uncertainty in the mid west and concern about the configuration of hospitals but today I seek a clear response on St. John's Hospital.

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