Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 244: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will ensure the retention of all acute services at Wexford General Hospital, including accident and emergency services; if she will ensure that adequate resources will be provided to maintain this essential healthcare facility for the people of Wexford and the south east; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25027/09]

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

The fundamental objective of Government health policy is to maximise the health status of the population. The Government is committed to ensuring quality health services, delivered efficiently and effectively. Ensuring patient safety is paramount, so that people can have confidence in the services and that the best possible patient outcomes are achieved. I believe that the approach being taken by the HSE in relation to the configuration of acute hospital services is the best way forward.

The Executive established a Steering Group in April, 2009 to review the current service configuration and to prepare proposals for the future organisation of acute hospital services in the South-East. The Steering Group, which includes the Clinical Directors of the four acute hospitals concerned, will work with a number of specialty advisory groups to assist in the development of evidence-based proposals which will ensure the provision of safe, sustainable and cost-effective services. The HSE confirmed that until this work has been completed, no decisions will be taken regarding the roles of the individual hospitals or the services they should provide into the future.