Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Question 61: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she has visited any of the five hospitals serving the four counties of Cavan, Monaghan, Meath and Louth; if she is satisfied with the management structure looking after that hospital group; her views regarding the fact that inquiries or reviews have had to be carried out at four of these hospitals; her further views on whether in the main, the consultants, doctors, nurses and workforce generally are doing an excellent job but are working under extraordinary strain compared to other hospitals here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15023/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I visited Louth County Hospital on 27 January 2006 and met the hospital network manager, the group general manager, the Medical Board, consultants, hospital staff and also a group of general practitioners from the Dundalk area. I also visited Our Lady's Hospital, Navan and Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda in 2005. I look forward to visiting Cavan and Monaghan General Hospitals as soon as possible.

As the Deputy is aware, management of acute hospital services in the north eastern region is the responsibility of the Health Service Executive, HSE. The HSE has an obligation to provide safe systems of health care and related services for patients and clients to the highest possible quality. It also has responsibility for providing a safe working environment for all staff.

The HSE has advised my Department that it is working to consolidate and strengthen management structures at the acute hospital sites referred to by the Deputy. In this regard, the Health Service Executive has procured a consultancy to examine acute hospital services in the north east, to include an evaluation of the risks associated with the provision of acute services on five sites serving a population of approximately 350,000. This review is due to be completed next month.

I am confident that the clinical, nursing and management staff in the north east are working together to achieve our shared goal of a quality health care system for all. The Government is committed to supporting them in the provision of high quality, cost effective and responsive services across the health system.