Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 188: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the reason South Tipperary General Hospital has not been included in the HealthStat initiative; when it will be included; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12875/09]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick East, Fine Gael)
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Question 189: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the position in respect of discussions between the Health Service Executive and St. John's Hospital, Limerick, in terms of the recommendations of the Teamwork consultants report and its implications for St. John's Hospital. [12876/09]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The HSE reconfiguration plans for the HSE Mid West region are informed by the recently published Teamwork Report. The Report highlighted the need for changes to be made in the provision and organisation of acute hospital services across the region as it found services were too fragmented, carried increased risks for patients and staff and were not sustainable in their present form. The HSE has been engaged in a consultation process with key stakeholders as it formulates detailed plans in relation to emergency care, critical care and surgical services in the region.

The HSE plans will involve the reconfiguration of Acute Hospital services into a network and their better integration with primary care services across the region, with a regional centre at the Regional Hospital Limerick that will deal with complex and specialist cases. The changing nature of health service delivery is such that smaller hospitals such as St John's can meet much of the demand for less complex services, especially those that are increasingly done on a day case basis, such as day surgery and diagnostic procedures.

St John's Hospital has played a prominent role in the provision of integrated health service in the Mid West and particularly in Limerick. For example, consultant appointments to the hospital for the past number of years have been on a shared basis with Limerick Regional Hospital at Dooradoyle. In addition, the hospital has participated in joint ventures such as the development of a minor injuries service in Limerick and in the co-ordination of pathology and radiology services.

St John's Hospital is well placed strategically to continue to play a prominent role in the provision of services under the reconfiguration proposals. The HSE has commenced initial discussions with the management of the hospital in relation to its contribution in the future. The issues being discussed include the provision of increased input at A&E consultant level, expanded role in the provision of surgical services and the possibility of expanding the scope of the minor injuries service in St John's to cover the weekend period. I am satisfied that the measures being taken by the HSE on the reconfiguration of services in the Mid West are necessary and appropriate in order to ensure the provision of safe and effective health services to the people of the region.