Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputies for their contributions on this matter. I know how important it is. I also know that the Minister shares a concern to ensure that patients in Navan, County Meath in general, the north east and any other part of the country can access urgent services when they need them. As I mentioned earlier, there is currently an ambulance bypass protocol in place for Our Lady's Hospital, Navan, in respect of paediatric patients, obstetrics patients, major trauma patients, heart attack patients and stroke care patients.

From the week commencing 12 December, the ambulance bypass protocol will be updated to include patients who are critically or seriously unwell or who are likely to deteriorate. This bypass is expected to affect a small cohort of patients who will be brought to the closest appropriate hospital for their needs. This is not a full ambulance bypass. Ambulances will continue to bring patients outside of the critically and seriously unwell categories to the emergency department at Our Lady's Hospital, Navan. This update is important to ensure that patients receive the right care in the right place at the right time.

I reiterate that no decision regarding the HSE’s proposal for the transition of the emergency department at Our Lady's Hospital, Navan, has been agreed by the Minister for Health. This matter remains under consideration.

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