Frank Feighan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Almost eight years ago the downgrading of the Roscommon University Hospital emergency department was a matter of national importance. Many times 5,000 people marched to save the emergency department. I stayed in government at the time and I am delighted that Roscommon University Hospital is now so busy that people are complaining about a lack of parking spaces at Dr. Hyde Park. There is an air ambulance with advanced paramedics and some €20 million has been spent on the hospital. I am delighted to say hundreds of lives have been saved. There are 500 jobs in the hospital which is busier and safer. Anyone who has any intention of contradicting what I am saying should visit the hospital and ask the consultants and management staff.

One last piece of the jigsaw to ensure the future of Roscommon University Hospital remains. It is the need for an update on the medical rehabilitation unit project. The planned medical rehabilitation unit represents a very significant development. The 20-bed unit will be of huge benefit to patients in the western region. It will enable patients from the west who previously have been treated at the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dún Laoghaire to be treated in Roscommon University Hospital. It will also assist in reducing waiting times for patients who require access to the National Rehabilitation Hospital.

There is a clear demand for such a medical rehabilitation facility in the west. Almost one quarter of patients treated at the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dún Laoghaire normally reside in the HSE West region where there are no dedicated rehabilitation units. As things stands, the National Rehabilitation Hospital is the only comprehensive rehabilitation centre for patients with physical and cognitive impairments in the Republic of Ireland. As we know, the demand for its services continues to rise.

Turning to the details of the capital project, we are looking initially at the development of inpatient ward accommodation with ten beds on a greenfield site on the Roscommon University Hospital campus. A further ten beds will be delivered on a phased basis. The unit will operate as a satellite centre under the auspices of the National Rehabilitation Hospital and relieve pressure on existing services. This will allow patients to be treated in their own community. Towards the end of last year the project took a significant step forward when the design team was appointed. Funding of more than €560,000 was allocated for the design stage of the project. This was a major milestone in the development of the project, on which I seek an update. I look forward to hearing a progress report on it.