Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State. The Sláintecare plan recommends that three elective-only hospitals be built - one each in Dublin, Cork and Galway. Given the continuous overcrowding at UHL and the compelling case that has been put to the Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, by the executive management there, Government policy clearly needs to change. Priority must be given to delivering an elective-only hospital for the mid-west. I want to establish what the Minister's position is on the provision of that hospital. It is of critical importance that it be prioritised and that every effort be made by the State to fast-track its delivery. I have sought an urgent meeting with the Taoiseach and the Minister and I understand that request is with the Taoiseach's private secretary. When the Minister of State reports back on this debate, will she raise this issue with the Taoiseach and the Minister?

The HSE and the Minister need to examine an enhanced role for the model 2 hospitals in Ennis and Nenagh and for St. John's Hospital. There is a need to build additional bed capacity at Ennis General Hospital by adding new wards and extending the opening hours of the medical assessment unit and the minor injuries unit, which was recently refurbished at a cost of €2 million. Private hospitals played an important role during the Covid crisis and their services should now be contracted to cater for elective patients at UHL and deal with the extraordinary waiting lists for procedures.

I understand a number of initiatives are being rolled out in the mid-west to divert older people away from the emergency department at UHL. The integrated care programme for older people, ICPOP, is being rolled out, with a hub in St. Joseph's Hospital in Ennis, as well as the pathfinder initiative. In the context of her responsibility for services for older people, will the Minister of State update the House on those initiatives?

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