Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)

I thank Senator Byrne for raising this issue. I am responding to him on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Health, Deputy Reilly. I emphasise that reports that services at Connolly hospital in Blanchardstown are to be downgraded are without foundation. The hospital will continue to provide a full range of acute services, including a 24-hour accident and emergency department. Connolly hospital, which serves a catchment population of 331,000, is an academic teaching hospital. It provides a range of acute medical and surgical services, acute psychiatric services, long-stay care, day care, outpatient, diagnostic and support services. Emergency services are provided on a 365-day, 24-hour basis. Multidisciplinary teams of medical, nursing and allied health professionals, as well as management and general support staff, play a pivotal role in the development, delivery, monitoring and evaluation of these services.

The efficiency of all services is being reviewed by the HSE in view of the current budgetary and financial position, which derives directly from the mismanagement of the economy by the previous Government, which was led by Fianna Fáil. The Minister has emphasised to the HSE that budgetary compliance must be maintained with the delivery of service levels set out in the national service plan. Activity and expenditure at Connolly hospital are ahead of the levels approved in the 2011 national service plan. A comprehensive review of services at the hospital has been undertaken by the HSE and hospital management. Certain measures have been taken as a consequence of this review. First, there has been a reduction in the use of agency staff and overtime hours. Second, the surgical day ward will be closed temporarily for two separate periods, involving a reduction from 24 to eight places when the first temporary closure takes place in November. Third, there will be a phased closure of 12 inpatient surgical beds between now and the end of the year. These changes are the direct result of the current budgetary and financial circumstances in the health system.

The HSE reviewed other possible options to save money or increase revenue, but concluded that they would not generate sufficient savings in the short term. The HSE has estimated that the cost reductions from the measures I have listed will save approximately €180,000 between now and the end of the year. The Minister, Deputy Reilly, has emphasised to the HSE the need to ensure the impact of these changes on patients is minimised and all changes are fully communicated. An announcement regarding these changes was made by the hospital manager on 5 October last, following a meeting of the hospital executive team, and communicated to staff by memo on that day. The changes are due to be discussed with the unions today. All measures are being reviewed on a daily basis by the hospital management team to ensure they have the smallest possible impact on patients and service users. All decisions on the alteration of patient services are carried out by the HSE in the interests of patient safety.