Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

Sinn Féin's Minister in Northern Ireland recommended the closure of three emergency departments in favour of a nurse-led service. In Roscommon, there is a doctor-led service, including a GP-led out-of-hours service.

The HIQA report stated there are risks associated with a number of hospitals and that these must be addressed. If the Deputy follows his own logic, he will note that even if one deployed in Roscommon hospital tomorrow all the medical personnel who have not been there for quite some time, the throughput in the accident and emergency unit would be such that those specialists would become de-skilled in a very short period. That would not be acceptable in any circumstances.

I have outlined that change will occur in Roscommon and that it will be effected with the consequent introduction of other services in the hospital over a certain period. This will be dealt with by the Minister for Health in due course. I agree with the Deputy that it is necessary to have absolute clarity in terms of the effecting of the strategy for change. People are entitled to know what happens. There should not be any confusion over these matters. One of the issues that arises in respect of the HSE is that it is often difficult to obtain the required clarity. The Minister for Health will now see to it that the strategy applies in all cases so people will be informed irrespective of how difficult the change might be.

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