Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 170: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if, in view of the Health Service Executive plans to reconfigure acute hospital services in the mid-west region, she will report on the plans for the redevelopment of Ennis General Hospital; the expected cost of this redevelopment project; the timeframe for the project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20524/09]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The HSE has commissioned a number of reviews in relation to how acute hospital services should be organised, including the Teamwork/Horwath Report in relation to the Mid-West region. The Health Information and Quality Authority recently published its report on services at Ennis General Hospital. These reviews have highlighted the need for changes to be made in the provision and organisation of acute hospital services across the region, particularly in relation to accident and emergency services, critical care, and surgical services.

The HSE has indicated that certain changes to the present arrangements for the provision of some acute services must be made, in the interests of patient safety and also to make best use of the clinical resources available within the Mid West region. The first phase of the re-configuration involved the reorganisation of the arrangements in Ennis and Nenagh so that these hospitals provide an urgent/minor injuries service for 12 hours a day as part of a regional Accident and Emergency structure. These hospitals will also continue to admit appropriate medical cases.Ambulance services in Clare and North Tipperary have been enhanced and an advanced 24-hour paramedic service is also in operation as part of the new arrangements.

The plans also 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 can meet much of the demand for less complex services, especially those that are increasingly done on a day case basis. Day surgery and diagnostic service activity at Ennis and Nenagh will also be significantly enhanced.

I am satisfied that the measures being taken by the HSE are necessary and appropriate in order to ensure the provision of safe and effective health services to the people of the Mid West region. My Department has asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy in relation to the detailed operational issues raised.