Dáil debates

Tuesday, 12 May 2009

Adjournment Debate

Hospitals Building Programme.

8:00 pm

Photo of Frank FeighanFrank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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The people of Ballinamore and south Leitrim have been waiting for many years for the Ballinamore community hospital. I was informed in a letter from the local health manager on 24 July 2007 that a document had been forwarded to the HSE national headquarters seeking approval to proceed with the next stage, which would provide for the appointment of a design team that would undertake the design, seek planning approval and procure contractors to build the hospital.

As the Minister of State knows, the facilities at the proposed development will include a primary care centre that will facilitate the provision of services by general practitioners, public health nurses, physiotherapists and other members of multidisciplinary teams. A community nursing unit comprising 21 beds and a day service centre will also be incorporated into the design of the nursing unit. The current cost estimate for the project is €7.29 million. I welcome the appointment of the design team. However, I would be grateful for information on when this much-needed development will be built and open to the public. The HSE and the Government talk about the need for primary care. I would, therefore, welcome a favourable reply on this matter tonight.

Photo of Áine BradyÁine Brady (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Deputy for raising this issue as it provides me with an opportunity to reaffirm the Government's commitment to developing community-based services at local level.

Government policy with regard to older people is to support people to live in dignity and independence in their own homes and communities for as long as possible. Where this is not feasible, the health service supports access to quality long-term residential care where this is appropriate. This policy approach is renewed and developed in the current partnership agreement Towards 2016. The Government's objective of continued development of community-based services for older persons is reflected in the funding given to the system in recent times. Since 2006, over €500 million additional funding has been invested in long-term care supports for older people. This includes the biggest ever investment, over €200 million, to develop community care services.

As the Deputy is aware, the Health Act 2004 provides the Health Service Executive with responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services. As a corporate body, the provision of these services, including progressing community hospitals at local level, is therefore an operational matter for the executive.

The proposed capital development for Ballinamore, which is at design feasibility stage, has a capital requirement in the region of €6 million and an estimated revenue cost of €500,000 per annum. The facility is due to be completed in 2012. The HSE has indicated that the design team for the community nursing unit, 20 beds, and primary care centre in Ballinamore was appointed in October 2008. Significant progress has been made to date. Stage 2, preliminary design, is complete and it is anticipated that stage 3 will be completed by end of June 09, which will enable an application for planning permission. Construction will require further approval to be included in 2010 NDP plan. It is anticipated a 12-month construction period would deliver the project, if approved to proceed.

The project will provide a community nursing unit of 20 beds on the HSE campus in Ballinamore, as well as a primary care centre. I understand from the HSE that, when complete, the development will include the following: Ballinamore community hospital - to include long-stay care services and palliative care services; day care services, to include a social model of care with interaction activities and personal care needs; and a centre to facilitate the provision of multidisciplinary primary care services which will ultimately encompass the core multidisciplinary team of general practitioners, public health nurses, mental health, occupational therapy, social work, chiropody, community welfare, physiotherapy, dietetic and home help services. The key objective in primary care policy is to develop services in the community which will give people direct access to integrated multidisciplinary teams such as that proposed for the Ballinamore development.

The HSE has indicated that it aims to have 530 primary care teams developed by 2011. This target will allow the entire population to easily access a broad range of health and personal social services through their local primary care team. Some 110 teams are currently in place, with a further 100 planned by year end. Approximately 200 new primary care centres are currently under consideration following the initiation of a programme to procure centres, which involves the HSE entering into fixed-term lease agreements with private providers. This infrastructure programme aims to have all sites identified by the middle of this year, with the first group of 80 to open by the end of 2010 and the full complement to open in the course of 2011. It is planned to have nine centres opened by the end of 2009.

The new high quality facility planned for Ballinamore will complement the significant service delivery thresholds that the Government already has put in place or planned for primary care and for services for older people. However, in light of the current financial difficulties generally, it will be a matter for the HSE to progress this particular project in its priorities under its overall capital programme.