Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 11: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her plans for the development of services at Roscommon County Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19795/08]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 43: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her position on the transfer of surgical services from Roscommon County Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19796/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 11 and 43 together.

My priority is to provide safe services as close as possible to where people live.

The best way of retaining and developing services at Roscommon and Portiuncula hospitals is for both hospitals to work together.

In the past, these two hospitals operated independently with two consultant general surgeons in each hospital. Advances in clinical care and ever-increasing levels of specialisation mean this model of care is no longer sustainable.

Small stand-alone hospital services will not be able to offer their doctors the opportunity to treat a sufficient volume and variety of patients to maintain their skills. Nor will they be able to provide the range of experience required for training new doctors. As a result, it will prove increasingly difficult, and perhaps impossible, to fill consultant posts on a permanent basis.

The difficulties faced by Roscommon and Portiuncula in maintaining surgical services independently, and the need for closer co-operation between them, was highlighted by the former Comhairle na nOispideal in March 2006.

The development of joint departments of surgery and anaesthesia will provide a better service for patients of both hospitals. While the more complex surgical cases would be treated in Portiuncula, this represents on average only about 3 cases per week. Roscommon Hospital will continue to provide surgical services for the balance of its patients. Indeed, it is likely that more Roscommon patients than heretofore will be able to have surgery performed at the hospital because most surgery can be carried out on a day basis, which is also more convenient for patients.