Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I wish the Minister of State all the best in her new role. I am sure she will be fantastic in the role because she has been bringing great energy and enthusiasm, so I wish her the very best of luck.

It is vitally important that we have a sufficiently resourced health service, now more than ever. What is of equal if not greater importance, however, is that we have a significantly escalated plan to achieve major increases in staffing levels right across the services and specialties. I made this point recently when I called on the Taoiseach to ensure that sufficient ICU and critical care staff are available to deal with any increase in demand for beds at the Midland Regional Hospital in Tullamore and the Midland Regional Hospital in Portlaoise.

Staff members at the hospital have told me that increasing staff numbers is the core issue that must be addressed. I accept what the plan says about providing 1,500 additional staff at national level but they have to be deployed to areas of most acute need. This debate also highlights how important it is for hospitals and health facilities to be able to engage in future strategic management. Unfortunately, this cannot be said of the Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise as there is still an absence of clarity on plans for the hospital. In July, I welcomed receipt of confirmation from the Minister, Deputy Donnelly, that he is emphatically committed to securing and further developing the role of Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise in the Dublin Midlands hospital group. However, it is still a source of significant concern to learn that no decision has yet been made on the draft action plan for Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise. While I welcome the statement provided by the Minister because at the very least we now have the outline of a real political commitment to the future of the hospital in Portlaoise, we do need further commitments, especially on the status of the appointment of an independent facilitator at the hospital. This is urgently needed if local confidence in the process is to be maintained. What we need to hear from the Minister, Deputy Donnelly, is a substantial level of detail on just what securing and further developing Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise will mean in real terms. Without that hospital we will not be able to plan for the future and it is affecting the hospital in terms of recruitment of specialist staff and the development of the maternity unit. It is holding up many developments. I hope we will have some resolution and a concrete plan and commitment.

The next issue I want to raise is the absence of mental health facilities and services for children and adults. This is a huge issue throughout the State, which I know the Minister of State is aware of and very passionate about. Services need to be put into Laois and Offaly urgently to try to deal with an escalating situation where people are suffering. The Covid pandemic has not helped and has led to the escalation of many cases.

There is a big hold up in the transfer of cancer patients. I am aware of one man in my constituency who received a shock diagnosis a few months ago. He is still waiting to be transferred to St. James's Hospital in Dublin. He is very concerned as is his family. I would be greatly appreciated if something could be done to curb the delays.

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