Brian Stanley (Laois, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I want to ask about the Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise. The extra resources provided for maternity services have proved beneficial and the results are there to be seen. A letter was circulated to hospital staff and the local media recently highlighting the fact that when the hospital gets resources, services can be improved. However, I want to highlight the fact there were 433 cancellations of surgery last year at Portlaoise hospital. I am told by staff that the bed capacity is supposed to be at 80% to 85%, as is good international practice, but it is at 110% in Portlaoise because 10% to 15% of patients are on trolleys and chairs. According to a reply I received from the Minister, one quarter of staff wages are going to agency staff and temporary locums despite the fact they make up less than 15% of staff, which shows they are more expensive. There are huge problems with recruitment because there is no certainty and there is no plan for the future of the hospital. Working conditions are bad due to the pressure caused by shortage of staff.

Will the Minister commit to quickly publishing the plan on the future of the hospital? Will he increase bed capacity? Will he employ the permanent staff who are needed to remove the bottlenecks in Portlaoise hospital?

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