Mark Dearey (Green Party)

I appreciate the opportunity to address the Minister directly. As I have only two minutes in which to do so, I need to cut to the chase.

I refer to what is probably the most intractable network, the north east, my own area, and my analysis of how the problem might be addressed by the Minister. I have looked carefully at Parts 7 and 10 of the Health Act 2004 which describe in broad terms the relationship between the Minister and the CEO of the HSE. It is the most important relationship in any organisation. Although I would like to see the ministerial functions strengthened in any review of the Health Act, under Part 7, it is the function of the HSE to provide advice for the Minister on its functions at the Minister's request. In that regard, I request the Minister to seek advice from the HSE on whether it considers Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital to be fit for purpose as the de facto regional centre which it was never intended to be. Obviously, a decision was made about the hospital in Navan some years ago. In fact, Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital is developing into a regional centre, but I do not believe it has the trust of the majority of people in the north east. I acknowledge that the accident and emergency department is opening next week. The facilities contained within are fantastic. It will change people's experience of the accident and emergency service. However, according to Dr. Colm Quigley who is leading the transformation programme, Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital is now, by an accident of history and design, the centre of services. However, I do not think that is sufficient reason for it to be so. I, therefore, ask the Minister to seek the advice of the HSE on whether the hospital is fit for purpose because most people do not believe it is. I also ask her to issue a direction on foot of that advice to the effect that the transformation programme should be suspended should the hospital be found not to be fit for purpuse as a regional centre.

There is an opportunity, with health services on both sides of the Border strapped for funding, to provide for the cross-Border delivery of regional health services. In the western part of Ulster the Strategic Investment Board of Northern Ireland has developed certain infrastructural projects that have cross-Border application. We could be much more ambitious in how we deliver health services on an cross-Border basis all along the Border but, most specifically, in the north east and south Ulster region. I would like to see the Strategic Investment Board of Northern Ireland and the HSE engaging in serious negotiations on delivery of hospital services on a cross-Border basis.