Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)

I am replying to this Adjournment matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Mary Harney.

The Midland Regional Hospital in Mullingar is part of the Dublin-Midlands Hospital Group. The aim of the hospital is to deliver a quality-driven people-centred service to the public of the Dublin-midlands area and, in particular, the Longford-Westmeath area. The hospital at Mullingar operates on a 24 hour, seven day week basis.

The HSE advised the Minister that at the end of September the hospital was 7.2% ahead of its service plan target. The primary drivers for the increased activity in the hospital are in the areas of obstetrics, paediatrics and general medicine, all of which are predominately emergency service driven. In addition, the hospital has provided for 4,784 surgical inpatient and day-case discharges to the end of September, which again exceeds its service plan target. The hospital is currently meeting its target under HealthStat with regard to waiting lists.

The September financial figures showed an increase in expenditure trend for the first time since May. Having regard to the activity to date when compared to the service plan, the HSE decided to review the level of activity that could be facilitated at the hospital for the remainder of the year.

For the hospital to be able to manage its activity it must examine areas of elective work, in particular the area of general surgery.

Following consultation with relevant stakeholders it was agreed to concentrate on emergency surgical activity and urgent elective activity for the remainder of the year. These areas of service will continue to be provided. Any issue or concern about what would come under the definition of emergency activity and urgent elective activity will be dealt with by the clinical director. The HSE has advised the Minister that all caesarean section activity will be facilitated, as will endoscopy procedures.

This arrangement will reduce overtime and agency costs and assist with bringing the budget of the hospital back in line, while delivering on the services promised in the hospital's service plan. The Minister has asked the HSE to keep the issue of service delivery at the hospital under ongoing review in order that patients who require treatment can receive it as quickly as possible in the appropriate health care setting.

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