James Breen (Clare, Independent)
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Question 163: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the status of Ennis General Hospital when the national forum on health is implemented; if it will remain an acute surgical hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17225/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Health Act 2004 provides for the convening of a national health consultative forum to advise on matters relating to the provision of health services. A gathering of this nature has been an annual event since the publication of the national health strategy and it is my intention to convene a forum, in accordance with the Act, later on this year.

The Health Act 2004 also provided for the Health Service Executive to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. This includes responsibility, through the National Hospitals Office, for the arranging of acute hospital services at a national, regional and local level.

Services to be provided, in the future, at Ennis General Hospital will be developed based on the principle of regional self-sufficiency and the organisation of services through regional hospital networks.