David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

This is a very important issue that the Joint Committee on Health should focus on in the new year. Its members should have a discussion on exactly what these elective-only hospitals should or should not be. I have an open mind on it, but my understanding is that elective-only hospitals will be for the regions and for addressing waiting lists for elective procedures. I support its location on the northside of Cork, as it makes sense. I spoke to Deputy Gould on this issue and we understand that these hospitals will be for people throughout the regions. I hope that these hospitals, in whatever form they come, will address the critical mass of elective care that needs to be done, will take it out of acute hospitals, if possible, and allow more complicated work to take place in the acute hospitals, which will continue. The debate about what elective hospitals are is an important one. We need to bring as many people with us as possible, which is done through consultation with those in the constituencies who might be affected and engagement with Members. Engagement with the Oireachtas health committee on this particular issue would also be helpful.

See this speech in context