Michael Ahern (Cork East, Fianna Fail)

I will be taking this Adjournment on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Mary Harney. Senator Kelly does not want to hear it but the facts are that the provision of services at Nenagh General Hospital and across the mid-west region in general is the responsibility of the Health Service Executive. The Government is committed to providing a high-quality service to all patients. Nenagh General Hospital, which has 81 beds, provides a range of acute services for the people of north Tipperary.

The HSE advises that the staffing and budget of Nenagh General Hospital has increased significantly over recent years. The revenue budget for the hospital has more than doubled from €8.5 million in 2000 to €20.5 million in 2007. Staffing levels at the hospital have increased from 182 in 2000 to 248 in 2007. The additional staffing includes the appointment of four dedicated emergency care physicians providing round the clock medical cover for the accident and emergency department. On the capital side, €2.74 million has been invested to facilitate new developments and upgrades in the accident and emergency department, the laboratory department, the X-ray department and the development of CT scanning

The HSE acknowledges that additional staff are required to facilitate the introduction of a CT scanning service at Nenagh General Hospital. The commissioning of services flowing from the capital developments completed in the recent past, including the CT scanner, will be considered by the HSE within its overall budget. Various options are being explored at present to commence this diagnostic service at the earliest possible date. The HSE will continue to do all it can to ensure the provision of a high-quality, patient-focused service to the people of north Tipperary.