Seanad debates

Wednesday, 30 November 2005

Hospitals Building Programme.

 

7:00 pm

Kathleen O'Meara (Labour)
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I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach for allowing me to raise the important matter of the specific allocation of funding for Nenagh General Hospital. I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House to reply to this matter. He will be aware that there is a considerable degree of local interest, in particular, in the future of Nenagh General Hospital. At least a year ago, the then Mid-Western Health Board approved funding for works at the accident and emergency unit, the laboratories and other works at Nenagh General Hospital. An amount of €2.2 million was specifically allocated for the accident and emergency unit. It was widely anticipated that this work would take place.

When the HSE was set up on 1 January all such applications were submitted to the National Hospitals Office. I and other public representatives were informed that that office would have to approve such allocation of funding. The application for such works was passed to the Minister's desk, it was on the list of capital projects and we waited for the allocation of such funding. The capital projects were announced and the Taoiseach, who was in the constituency since the summer, announced that this spending would go ahead.

I telephoned the HSE on Monday, which I do regularly as part of my work, to ascertain the position regarding the allocation of the €2.2 million only to be told that it was still waiting to be told it could spend this money. That is a matter of some concern. Why is it being told to wait in terms of the spending of this money? Against the backdrop of everything Professor Drumm, the chief executive of the HSE, told us of his plans for acute hospitals, there is a degree of concern that the failure to spend this money on Nenagh General Hospital points to a policy change in terms of its future. It is against the background of that concern that I raise this matter.

I believed the Taoiseach when he said the allocation would be made. When one is told by senior members of staff in the HSE locally that they still have not been given the go-ahead to spend this money, which was allocated well over a year ago, one must ask questions. Hence, I ask why the money has not been approved for spending. Is there a change in policy? If so, will the Minister of State indicate this and state what it is?

Photo of Brian Lenihan JnrBrian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Senator for raising this matter on the Adjournment. I listened carefully to her comments and I reassure her that the Taoiseach is a man of his word. In regard to the matter raised, I shall explain the reasons and the circumstances in the course of my reply.

I take this Adjournment matter on behalf of the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney. I want to emphasise the commitment of the Government and the Tánaiste to the continued development of services at Nenagh General Hospital and the continued provision of high-quality, safe acute hospital services in north Tipperary.

In recent years, funding of €2 million was provided to facilitate extension of existing buildings and significant refurbishment of the existing facilities. Some €750,000 was spent on the refurbishment and upgrading of mechanical and electrical services at the hospital. Additional ultrasound equipment was purchased for the hospital at a cost of €200,000. Planning permission has been obtained for an acute psychiatric unit with 24 beds. Space has been protected on the Nenagh campus for the proposed future provision of a geriatric assessment-rehabilitation unit. Approval has also been given for the development of a health centre-community care headquarters.

The next capital development at Nenagh General Hospital comprises an extension to the laboratory, radiology and accident and emergency departments and the provision of a CT scanner. The estimated capital cost is in excess of €2 million. The HSE mid-west area has progressed the project through planning stages, tenders for the work have been sought, and the HSE has informed the Department that approval has been given to the HSE mid-west area to proceed with the accident and emergency and laboratory aspects of the project.

The accident and emergency department aspect was referred to by Senator. However, the HSE has informed the Department that the radiology-CT aspects of the project require additional planning, staffing and revenue funding, the source of which needs to be identified prior to approval. That is the current position.

The Tánaiste is satisfied that what has been outlined to the House represents tangible evidence of the commitment of the Government to the continued provision of high-quality, cost-effective, timely and responsive hospital services in Nenagh for all. The Government is committed to supporting and developing critical services, including key areas such as maternity and accident and emergency services. The decision of the HSE to proceed with the accident and emergency department and laboratory aspects of the project immediately is evidence of this fact. Let us move away from scare tactics and unfounded claims of downgrading and loss of services. Let us have a debate about how best to work together to develop a quality health service for the future and as part of that to ensure a high-quality, sustainable hospital service in Nenagh.

Kathleen O'Meara (Labour)
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I thank the Minister of State for his reply. He said that the HSE has informed the Department that the radiology-CT aspects require additional planning, etc. I take it that is the HSE at national level because it certainly is not the HSE at local level. That suggests there is a delay in this regard on the part of the HSE at national level. Therefore, there is a blockage to this funding being made available. I have a communication from the HSE mid-west area which is not in line with what the Minister of Statesaid.

Photo of Brian Lenihan JnrBrian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I can indicate to the Senator only what is on the record, which is that the HSE has informed the Department that approval has been given to the HSE mid-west area to proceed with the accident and emergency and laboratory aspects of the project. I can assist the Senator in indicating that it appears from the reply that the radiology-CT aspects of the project were part of the original project. The National Hospitals Office of the HSE is assessing the projected current cost of developments as part of its forward investment programme on the capital side. It appears from the reply that the HSE has decided to proceed immediately with the accident and emergency and laboratory aspects and has informed the HSE mid-west area of that. It has also informed the Department that it requires further time to plan for the provision of that the radiology-CT aspects of the project.

Kathleen O'Meara (Labour)
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I thank the Minister of State for his reply and I will check this information with my local sources. It is not in line with what I have been told nor with the reason I raised this matter.

Photo of Brian Lenihan JnrBrian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The Senator will appreciate that I have to go by the reply with which I have been furnished.

Kathleen O'Meara (Labour)
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Of course.