Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister, Deputy Varadkar, for being present to take this very important issue. Recent media reports and commentary regarding Portlaoise hospital have been a cause of great concern for my constituents in Kildare South. Many have used the maternity services in Portlaoise hospital and many residents in Athy, Monasterevin and Newbridge have used the hospital as much as Naas. Portlaoise hospital also has a paediatric emergency department which Naas does not, as the Minister will be aware, and the next nearest paediatric emergency department is Tallaght hospital, which is a long way to drive from south Kildare if one has a sick child.

I am mindful of the HIQA report and the absolute necessity to ensure the safe delivery of services. I acknowledge the moves already made in Portlaoise hospital, including the Coombe hospital's management of maternity services, which is to be welcomed. Recent commentary about examining future complex surgery and the emergency department has caused major concern. Since the media report and commentary, Naas Hospital has seen a significant increase in the pressure on its emergency department. That, coupled with the fact that there were very few people on trolleys in Portlaoise hospital in the past week, means one can see the inextricable links between the two hospitals, even when there was media commentary about the future of Portlaoise hospital.

I do not want to see the loss of the 24/7 emergency department in Portlaoise hospital in the future, but in any review that looks to maximise safety and the provision of services following the HIQA report, I want the safety of patients in Naas General Hospital and the residents of south Kildare's safety to be considered equally with that of Portlaoise hospital. There needs to be an acceptance that any decisions in Portlaoise hospital have a direct impact on the services in Naas General Hospital and Kildare.

I want a commitment from the Minister in the House that there will be no change to the services in Portlaoise hospital without due consideration of the impact on Naas General Hospital and south Kildare. We need to increase the capacity of Naas General Hospital as it is. The endoscopy unit and day ward plan for Naas General Hospital need to be constructed in 2015, not started in 2016 as originally planned. The building needs to commence, even if Portlaoise hospital maintains its currents services due to the size and scale of our county.

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