James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)

We are not of the view that hospitals are being downgraded; they are changing the emphasis on the care they provide. Our primary concern is that hospitals are safe. Decisions are still in the process of being assessed; therefore, no final decisions have been made. We are evaluating the matter. All of the hospitals are different and the universal health insurance implementation commission will examine the issue. It would be premature, therefore, to outline exactly what each hospital will do or which hospitals will be connected to which. There are different possibilities and there may be interim arrangements prior to final arrangements being made for connectivity between hospitals. There are considerations related to connectivity by road infrastructure and the complementary positions hospitals offer when in partnership with others; we do not want hospitals to duplicate services unnecessarily. This work is ongoing. It is a massive task that we are intent on completing and there has been a lot of activity to date. As soon as the implementation body produces its report, it will be brought before the Dáil.

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