Ulick Burke (Fine Gael)

I thank the Cathaoirleach for selecting this matter for debate on the Adjournment, and I also thank the Minister of State, Deputy Callely, for attending the House.

The Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Martin, should indicate his willingness to upgrade Portiuncula Hospital to the status of a general hospital by utilising funds from the sale by the Western Health Board of property at St. Bridget's Hospital, Ballinasloe. Following improvements in the Western Health Board's psychiatric services, the facilities at St. Bridget's Hospital, Ballinasloe, are surplus to requirements in many cases. This is due to the change from an institutionalised service to a community-based service, which has been welcomed by all involved.

The Minister and the Western Health Board should ringfence funds accruing to the Department and the health board from the sale of property at St. Bridget's Hospital for the development of Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe. The latter hospital should be upgraded from its current status to that of a general hospital, similar to Castlebar Hospital, which is also within that health board's area.

An outline development plan was put in place at Portiuncula by the hospital's management prior to the purchase of the hospital by the Western Health Board some years ago. This was done in consultation with the health board and all parties signed off on how the project would be developed into the future. This would involve an increase in bed capacity from the current 206 to approximately 340 beds, which is the number required for the development of all areas of speciality services currently provided at the hospital, namely cardiac, maternity, accident and emergency and geriatric care.

Portiuncula Hospital cannot develop further due to a lack of facilities. As with all other hospitals, the accident and emergency unit is under severe pressure due to the increasing numbers presenting for treatment on an ongoing basis. The hospital's speciality services cannot expand due to physical constraints as well as the need for additional medical, nursing and support staff.

Portiuncula Hospital requires capital investment to provide the additional infrastructure to support speciality services, such as the rehab, laboratory and x-ray units. The newest accommodation in many of these areas dates from the mid-1980s. It will be difficult to cater for the current demand for services at the hospital without upgrading it. Many support services are provided in makeshift accommodation, so the hospital requires proper facilities to allow for expansion.

The Minister should indicate that funding accruing from the sale of property at St. Bridget's Hospital will be ringfenced to provide for such facilities at Portiuncula Hospital. The health board and the Minister have already indicated that a modern psychiatric unit will be provided at Portiuncula, partly due to the sale of property at St. Bridget's. I am requesting the Minister to use all the funds from the sale of the remainder of the property at St. Bridget's to upgrade Portiuncula to a general hospital.