Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate the Deputy’s contribution and his genuine sentiments on the surge in attendance at Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown. I also thank him for raising this important topic and acknowledge that he has raised other issues.

The Government understands how important it is to make quality patient services available to people in Blanchardstown and everyone across the country. As I outlined, Connolly Hospital experienced a surge in attendance at the emergency department on the night of 7-8 February. It took the decision to reduce clinical risk to patients by transferring some suitable patients to an appropriate ward. It was a physiotherapy ward. It is not formally a gym but part of the physiotherapy department. As stated, the hospital's priority was to reduce clinical risk and relieve pressure on the emergency department. This ward is no longer being used for that purpose.

The increase in numbers of attendees is also being felt on a national scale, with emergency department attendances in January 2024 up by 10% compared with the same periods in both 2022 and 2023.

There are a number of capital developments in train at Connolly Hospital designed to improve patient experience, including the education and research centre and laboratory transfer, a second CT scanner and a dental education centre including an endocrinology, rheumatology and infusion suite.

The Government and the Minister for Health are committed to the ongoing development of services and care in Connolly Hospital and will continue to support the hospital in developing its valuable services into the future.

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