Seanad debates

Tuesday, 18 June 2019

Nithe i dtosach suíonna (Atógáil) - Commencement Matters (Resumed)

Hospitals Building Programme

2:30 pm

Photo of Michelle MulherinMichelle Mulherin (Fine Gael)
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The next Commencement matter concerns the need for the Minister for Health to provide an update on the medical rehabilitation unit at Roscommon University Hospital.

Photo of Frank FeighanFrank Feighan (Fine Gael)
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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.

Photo of Finian McGrathFinian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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I thank the Senator for raising this issue and giving me the opportunity to outline to the House the position on the proposed development of a specialist rehabilitation unit at Roscommon University Hospital.

A Programme for a Partnership Government places a particular focus on several key programmes and strategies, including the publication of a plan for advancing neurorehabilitation services in the community. The Health Service Executive recently published its implementation framework for the recommendations in the national policy and strategy for the provision of neurorehabilitation services in Ireland in the period 2011 to 2015. The strategy made a number of recommendations for services for people with rehabilitation needs. It also covered a range of supports for them, including clinical, therapeutic, social, vocational and community supports.The redevelopment of the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dún Laoghaire is well under way with the construction of phase 1 nearing completion. It is expected to become operational next year, it will be a significant enhancement to rehabilitation services in the country and it will have a direct and significant impact on patient recovery by providing an optimal ward and therapeutic environment for patient treatment. This will enable staff to deliver optimal quality care and treatment in a facility which affords dignity, respect and privacy to all.

Funding for phases 1 and 2 of this major redevelopment project, along with the development of a specialist rehabilitation unit at Roscommon University Hospital, has been included in the Government’s Project Ireland 2040 policy initiative, announced last year. This provides €10.9 billion for health capital developments across the country, including both national programmes and individual projects across acute, primary and social care. The delivery of these projects and programmes, including developments at Roscommon University Hospital, will result in healthcare facilities that allow for implementation of new models of care and for delivery of services in high quality modem facilities. Roscommon University Hospital plays an essential role as a model 2 hospital within the Saolta University Healthcare Group and will continue to do so in the future. It provides a significant range of hospital services to patients in the region, including extended day surgery, certain acute medicine services and local injuries services. It also provides a wide array of diagnostic services including endoscopy, laboratory medicine, point-of-care testing and radiology, as well as specialist rehabilitation medicine and palliative care. Future growth in healthcare will be in the areas of chronic disease management and day surgery, diagnostics and rehabilitation. The activity levels of model 2 hospitals, such as Roscommon University Hospital, will continue to increase over the coming years as they specialise in providing these services to meet the needs of their local populations.

The HSE has advised that a design team for the proposed development of a rehabilitation unit at Roscommon University Hospital was appointed in October 2018. The design team has commenced preliminary design and is currently conducting site surveys and site investigations as part of this process. The HSE has previously advised that the hospital is also experiencing traffic congestion and parking difficulties, for which solutions will need to be addressed as part of the planning process. Subject to the successful completion of this process, it is anticipated that a planning application could be lodged in late 2019. Once the final design options have been approved, the required capital allocation will be determined. This unit will deliver 20 beds and therapy suite accommodation upon completion and will operate as a satellite centre under the auspices of the National Rehabilitation Hospital to provide intensive interdisciplinary rehabilitation to patients in the west.

Photo of Frank FeighanFrank Feighan (Fine Gael)
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I am delighted that a planning application could be lodged by late 2019. I understand that these applications take time but it must be ensure that the significant development under the auspices of the National Rehabilitation Hospital will be located in Roscommon. When it becomes operational, it will lead to 50 jobs. That means there will be more than 500 jobs in Roscommon University Hospital and I take great pleasure that this is so, given that people said the hospital would close. The Minister of State said the hospital was experiencing traffic congestion and parking difficulties, for which solutions will need to be found as part of the planning process. However, I take a little bit of credit in this regard and I laugh to myself about the fact that people said there would be no business in Roscommon hospital. In fact, we are experiencing significant traffic problems because it is twice as busy. I thank the Minister of State for his response. We will continue to ensure that the National Rehabilitation Hospital will be located in Roscommon for the west of Ireland.

Photo of Finian McGrathFinian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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I accept the Senator's points about the additional jobs, as well as the point about the total number of 500 jobs.Roscommon University Hospital provides quality patient care for the people of the region, which is delivered safely by skilled and valued staff through the best use of the available resources. My Department continues to work with both the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the HSE in the process of finalising a multi-annual capital plan for the HSE as soon as possible. It will include capital projects to be funded in 2019, having regard to the available capital funding and the large number of national capital projects under way. It is important to recognise that all capital development proposals must progress through detailed appraisal, planning, design and tender stages before a firm timeline or funding requirement can be established.

I will bring all of the issues the Senators have raised back to the Minister for Health.

Sitting suspended at 3.20 p.m. and resumed at 3.35 p.m.