Seanad debates
Tuesday, 28 November 2006
Adjournment Matters
Accident and Emergency Services.
7:00 pm
Fergal Browne (Fine Gael)
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I wish the Minister of State at the Department of Education and Science, Deputy de Valera, well in her pending retirement.
Fergal Browne (Fine Gael)
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I understand she is retiring on Friday week and may not again come before the House in the interim.
Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
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Does the Senator wish to proceed or does he not wish to do so?
Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
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The Senator should do so now and not comment on any other matters.
Fergal Browne (Fine Gael)
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This matter relates to the accident and emergency unit at St. Luke's Hospital, Kilkenny. The Minister for Health and Children visited the hospital last week and spoke about it leading the way and setting an example for other hospitals throughout the country. She is quoted as informing the Cabinet with regard to the latter. Unfortunately, the hospital is not receiving the rewards it deserves in some areas.
A new stroke unit was put in place at St. Luke's and a new dexa scanner has been also provided. This was achieved as a result of major fund-raising carried out by the Friends of St. Luke's Hospital, which is a voluntary group. I am aware a new outpatient department is being put in place and that there are plans to construct a new A&E unit next year. However, I contend the latter will not happen quickly enough.
The existing A&E unit at St. Luke's Hospital was formerly a laundry room and the fire exit has been blocked by the placing of a couch in front of it. The space provided is completely inadequate. I predict that somebody will be knocked down outside the unit and will find himself or herself being admitted as a patient there. This will happen as a result of deliveries being made to the A&E unit at the same time ambulances arrive there. The situation is extremely dangerous.
The Minister of State may indicate that something will be done next year or in two years' time in conjunction with the building of the outpatient department. However, this should be fast-tracked. It should not be forgotten that St. Luke's was snubbed in July 2005 when it was not allocated any funding out of €550 million provided under the capital programme. However, the decision in this regard was reversed because the Minister happened to visit the hospital on the day following its announcement and was embarrassed into rectifying the position by providing funding for the stroke unit.
The people of Carlow-Kilkenny deserve to have a proper, state-of-the-art A&E unit. God forbid that anyone should end up in the A&E unit because there could be eight or nine people — from priests performing the last rites to consultants, doctors and nurses — attending to them. At present, there is not enough space in the area to accommodate everyone.
Does the Government have plans to cater for the needs of Carlow, which does not have a general hospital? There was some discussion to the effect that a private hospital would be located there but progress in this regard appears to have stalled. If that private hospital proceeds, I hope an A&E department could be included on its campus.
The Minster of State visited Carlow town recently and witnessed the growth that has occurred there. Carlow is one of the fastest growing towns in the country and is almost as big as Kilkenny city. Perhaps Carlow and not Kilkenny should have city status because the former has two third level colleges while the latter has none. However, that is an argument for another day.
I ask the Minister of State to fast-track plans relating to the A&E unit at St. Luke's Hospital. Will he outline what Carlow, which does not have a general hospital, can expect in the way of the provision of A&E facilities there? I appreciate that an A&E unit cannot be put in place on its own and that back-up facilities are required. There is quite a good Caredoc service in the town. Such services were first put in place in Carlow and have been replicated throughout the country. I understand there is one, Shannondoc, in the Minister of State's constituency. However, something more than the Caredoc service is required in Carlow because St. Luke's Hospital is situated 30 minutes away. A facility is required to cater for emergency cases. For example, I am aware of a person who had to be driven to Kilkenny because she was choking on a rasher. Obviously, this was a terrifying experience for her and her family. The Minister of State referred to putting in place "in-between" facilities to cater for emergencies in towns such as Carlow. I look forward to his reply.
Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)
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I am taking this matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney.
The Health Service Executive has advised that the planning brief for all the building requirements at St. Luke's Hospital is complete. A design team has already completed the design and tendering for the new outpatient department. The team is currently reconciling the development control plan for the hospital with the design brief to ensure the new outpatient department will be consistent with the overall development plan for the St. Luke's site and to facilitate the upgrading of the existing accident and emergency department. The HSE expects that the development control plan will be finalised by the end of 2006.
Work on the new outpatient department is scheduled to commence within the next few weeks, with an agreed programme for completion of building works of 15 months. The HSE has informed the Department of Health and Children that, following the construction of the new outpatient department, the construction of a new A&E department is the top priority for St Luke's Hospital. The existing outpatient department will be used for expansion of the A&E department. A design team has been appointed and is preparing the necessary tender documentation to enable construction to commence in 2008.
The HSE operates eight hospital networks, with a total of 35 accident and emergency departments-minor injuries units. These are supported by a 24-7 ambulance service. In addition, GP out-of-hours services are in place to support the delivery of emergency care. The latest such service to be introduced is in north Dublin. It is commencing this evening and is due to be fully operational within the coming weeks.
St. Luke's Hospital provides acute services, including accident and emergency services, to the populations of counties Carlow and Kilkenny. The HSE provides a 24-hour ambulance service in County Carlow as part of this service. Carlow town was also the location of the first comprehensive on-duty out-of-hours general practitioner co-operative in Ireland.
Fergal Browne (Fine Gael)
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I reiterate that construction will not commence until 2008. That is far too long to wait. I ask the Minister of State to intervene to see if the commencement date can be brought forward. The authorities at Wexford hospital invited television crews to film at its A&E unit and its redevelopment was fast-tracked as a result. However, St. Luke's appears to have been punished for playing by the rules. I appreciate what the Minister of State said in respect of the ambulance service provided in Carlow, which could be improved further. In addition, further outpatient clinics could be provided. We should be cognisant of the fact that Carlow town is growing rapidly and that its population has major needs.
Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)
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I will communicate with the Minister regarding the Senator's suggestions.