James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)

I thank Deputy Stanley for the opportunity to clarify the situation. I do not believe there is any difference between the two statements, to be frank. There is an association because many of the hospitals mentioned in conjunction with Portlaoise are model 2, but I did not say that Portlaoise was going to be model 2. I have certainly never said that. Let us clear that up at the outset.

I want to place on record that the Midland Regional Hospital at Portlaoise will continue to deliver a quality-driven, people-centred service to the population of the region and the people of Laois in particular. There is no plan to reduce services at the hospital. Lest I forget to address the Deputy's question about what is in the heads of the myriad people working in the HSE, I think he will agree I could not possibly know what is in all their heads, but I know what is in my head and I put it on the record again today.

I remain committed to ensuring that acute hospital services at national, regional and local level are provided in a clinically appropriate and efficient manner. In particular, I want to ensure that as many services as possible can be provided safely in smaller, local hospitals. I have also made it clear that patient safety must be the overriding priority and I want patients to be treated at the lowest level of complexity that is safe, timely, efficient and as near to home as possible. Patients should only have to travel to larger hospitals for more complex services. I do not mind stating that the battles we have had on moving what it is not safe to provide in smaller hospitals will be superceded by the battles to get what should not be provided in the bigger hospitals out of them and back to the smaller hospitals. We will engage in these battles and win.

In the recent past there has been much speculation regarding the future of Portlaoise hospital. Certain reports have cited correspondence, as Deputy Stanley has done, and referred to the possibility of Portlaoise becoming a model 2 hospital, which would have implications, particularly for the emergency department. In July of this year, as Deputy Stanley pointed out, I attended the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and Children and made it clear that Portlaoise is a model 3 hospital and will remain a model 3 hospital. I said to the committee that this is Government policy and will not change. I confirm that this remains the case. I might mention that I intend to develop a framework for the development of smaller hospitals that secures their future and specifies the additional services it is safe for them to provide. The framework will underline the Government's commitment to the real development of smaller hospitals and not their closure, as some people would have us believe. It is important to point out that there are safety issues at Portlaoise and they are being addressed but addressing them does not mean it will become a model 2 hospital.

On the intensive care unit and critical care of patients at Portlaoise, there is currently a four bed ICU with the capacity to ventilate two patients should the requirement arise. As Portlaoise provides both obstetric and gynaecology and paediatric services 24 hours a day, seven days a week, anaesthetic and surgical cover is required 24 hours a day, seven days a week on site. In this regard, I am happy to confirm that it is envisaged the Midlands Regional Hospital at Portlaoise will maintain its current ICU service.

Furthermore, a proposition to appoint a clinical director for the midlands region is currently being considered by the HSE. A single clinical director would lead the provision of these services within the region and within the guidance of the national clinical care programmes. In advance of that process, I wish to re-iterate that the retention of Portlaoise Hospital as a model 3 facility remains Government policy. Accordingly, the recent speculation around the downgrading of Portlaoise Hospital is not accurate and I am pleased to set the record straight. Portlaoise remains a model 3 hospital.

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