Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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7. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding refurbishment works at Letterkenny General Hospital [47943/13]

Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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In the immediate aftermath of our flash flooding at Letterkenny General Hospital this summer, there were questions in the public mind. How did it happen in the first instance?

Why was it allowed to happen and how can it be prevented in the future? Lessons must be learned. What resonates with people in Donegal is the responsibility. We should continue to bear in mind who was responsible and how it can be prevented in the future. There is also fear about services and so forth. However, I commend the Minister on his initiative in bringing the Secretary General and the CEO of the hospital group with him to visit the hospital in the immediate aftermath to set the ball moving. Within a fortnight services resumed and the work that is taking place there at present is phenomenal, to say the least.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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I am sorry, Deputy, but you only have 30 seconds.

Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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The people of Donegal would like to know what the plans are for the immediate future.

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Deputy for his question and take this opportunity to laud the people who work in Letterkenny Hospital for the phenomenal work they did under extraordinary conditions. The engine of the hospital, as it were, was under up to three feet of water. Many people might not realise the degree of contamination that causes and the absolute loss of operability suffered as a consequence. The kitchens and laboratory were taken out and the diagnostics were gone, yet the medical staff continued to look after their patient load. The hospital group swung into action with Bill Maher, the CEO of the group, and Noel Daly, the chairman of the board, visiting on a number of occasions. I was there on the Sunday, a couple of days after the event took place, and again on Wednesday, as was my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch. The Taoiseach also visited.

The reason for the culvert blocking is being investigated and remedial action has been taken to ensure that it cannot happen again. There might be some design issues in the hospital, as much of the water was able to flow across a linked corridor into the other parts of the hospital. That must also be addressed. Again, phenomenal work was done by the staff and there was tremendous co-operation in the hospital group in terms of Sligo hospital's ability to take much of the load and Mayo and Galway helping as well. In particular, the sister hospital, Altnagelvin Hospital, took much of the pressure off in terms of the emergency services. All in all, this was a natural disaster, force majeure in insurance terms, but it was one in which everybody not only in the hospital but also in the community put their shoulder to the wheel to protect, as best they could, their citizens, families and community.

Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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The Minister is right that it was a national disaster. There was some criticism among the people of Donegal that it did not get appropriate coverage nationally but the proactivity of the Minister and his officials ensured that services were resumed within a fortnight. It was not a greenfield site but a building site, and we still had services. The work of all involved at hospital employee level and the voluntary effort at community level were phenomenal. That must be acknowledged. However, while a great deal of work is ongoing at present, we should look at the forward planning for the long term. If there is to be new build, we should look at services that can be done together in synch and consider this smartly. The managers are looking at potential solutions, but in the current environment of such enthusiasm and professionalism in trying to get work done, it is also important that we still have oversight, checks and balances, accountability and transparency regarding the great deal of money that is going into the hospital, which is very much welcomed. I acknowledge the Minister's personal action in getting into his car on the weekend it happened and travelling to Letterkenny. That was very much appreciated by the people there and in Donegal generally.

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The Secretary General of the Department of Health accompanied me that day. Work is still ongoing in Letterkenny. One of the biggest challenges for the hospital was to get the diagnostics back up and running. A modular unit was brought in which had very high operational capability, even better than what was there previously. There is a multi-purpose radiology interventional suite there and project teams have been established for services in those areas which were significantly impacted by the flooding, such as the coronary care unit, the cardiac investigations unit, medical records, the laboratories, the mortuary and staff facilities.

Water does an enormous amount of damage by getting in behind panels and under flooring. All of that carries contamination risk, so it is a major job to recommission all these areas but it is one in which the staff in the hospital and the wider community, the county council, the fire brigade and all the voluntary organisations have got involved in a major way to support the hospital getting back to normal so it can continue to deliver the excellence in care which it has traditionally delivered over the years.

Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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I welcome the fact that project teams have been established. While the local teams are doing well in keeping the public informed, we should consider drawing up a medium- to long-term plan regarding future services. Certainly, the staff have shown an amazing resilience in adapting. At a time when the political and wider community can be quite critical of civil and public servants, we must mature as a nation and acknowledge the good things as well. The staff working on this project are rising to the challenge. It is important that people in the civil and public service who are doing good work and meeting the professional needs and challenges of their work are acknowledged. We do not do enough of that as politicians or give that feedback. We should be empowering people, and saying "well done" is something they appreciate.