Written answers

Thursday, 17 April 2008

Department of Health and Children

Accident and Emergency Services

5:00 pm

Photo of Deirdre CluneDeirdre Clune (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 266: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to he fact that a new accident and emergency unit at the Mercy Hospital, Cork is not operational; when she expects it will be operational; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14527/08]

Photo of Mary HarneyMary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Deputy will be aware that the Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive (HSE) to have the responsibility to manage and deliver, or arrange to have delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. This includes responsibility for the provision of services at the Mercy University Hospital, Cork.

Improving the delivery of Accident and Emergency services continues to be a top priority for the Government and the Health Service Executive. There are three Accident and Emergency Departments in Cork City. These are located at Cork University Hospital, the Mercy University Hospital, and the South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital. These units are cross-covered by a team of Consultants in Emergency Medicine.

Funding of €4.7m for the provision of a new Accident and Emergency Department at the Mercy University Hospital was included in the HSE's Capital Plan 2006-2010. Building work on the new Accident and Emergency Department was completed on schedule in January 2007. The work of equipping and commissioning the new facility was completed at the end of October 2007.

The HSE has informed my Department that there are currently 46 staff assigned to the existing A&E Department at an annual cost of approximately €2.5m. The staff complement includes the equivalent of 18 full time nurses, 1 full time Consultant in Emergency Medicine, 2 Registrars and 7 Senior House Officers. The working of the existing Department is underpinned by close working relationships with physiotherapists, a social worker, an occupational therapist, radiographer, pharmacist, psychiatry and other support services, including chaplains, security and housekeeping staff.

The original approval for the project included an additional revenue allocation of €0.40m. I understand that in January 2007, the Mercy University Hospital submitted an application to the HSE's National Hospitals Office for an additional 24.5 full time staff for the new unit, at a cost of almost €1.5m. This would represent a very substantial increase in staffing over the current complement.

In December 2007, in an effort to advance the issue, both sides agreed to an evaluation of the staffing requirement for the new facility. I understand that this process will be concluded shortly. On Monday 14th April the Mercy University Hospital indicated that it proposed to bring the new Accident and Emergency Department in the Hospital into operation on a limited basis, beginning in June 2008. The HSE and Mercy University Hospital are engaged in on-going discussions regarding the opening of the A&E Department and related issues.

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