John Halligan (Waterford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Taoiseach undoubtedly is aware of the grave concerns regarding the leaked report prepared by Professor John Higgins on the proposed hospital network reconfiguration in the south east. This is an area populated by more than half a million people. I understand the long-awaited report by Professor Higgins on the hospital groupings is before the Cabinet and I am almost certain the Taoiseach is aware of it at this point. I have heard that two distinct options are under consideration at present. There is a proposal that the south-eastern hospitals stand alone as separate groups or that Waterford and Clonmel should be grouped with Cork, while Kilkenny and Wexford should be grouped with Dublin. In this instance, I understand that Waterford Regional Hospital would become and acquire the status of a specialist teaching hospital. Can the Taoiseach confirm whether he has seen the report and, if so, can he give his views thereon? The Minister for Health previously gave a commitment to me and other Oireachtas Members in the south east that were Waterford to be grouped with Cork, which is reliably rumoured to be the case, absolutely no service would be lost at Waterford Regional Hospital. Will the Taoiseach also give a commitment in this regard? In addition, will the Taoiseach confirm that no jobs will be lost as a result of this regrouping?

The Taoiseach will be aware that more than 15,000 people took to the streets in Waterford last year and still have no answers. Thousands of people, many of whom are ill and traumatised, urgently require the Government to give a commitment that essential services such as oncology, orthopaedics, cardiovascular surgery, accident and emergency services and so on will be protected within the new hospital groupings. The time has come where people can wait no longer. The Government should be upfront and honest and should tell people what is happening in respect of the reconfiguration of the hospitals and the network. As I stated, all Deputies, Senators and councillors in the south east have been briefed as to what will be the likely outcome. Almost all of them are united on what should happen and many of them are under fierce pressure. In fairness, this applies in particular to Deputies, Senators and councillors from Fine Gael and the Labour Party, who worry about what might happen under this reconfiguration. People want the Taoiseach and the Minister for Health to give a commitment this morning that no matter what happens in the new configuration, all the essential services will be protected, particularly in respect of Waterford Regional Hospital.

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