Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 53: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the basis of the Health Service Executive decision to cease surgery at Navan Hospital, County Meath; the clinical reasons behind this decision; if she will provide details of a Health Service Executive review into this matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34762/10]

Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 68: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will reinstate essential emergency services at a hospital (details supplied) in County Louth; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34712/10]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 53 and 68 together.

In their role as patient advocates for high quality safe surgical care and practice, the Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland supported the decision of the Director of Quality and Clinical Care of the HSE to cease emergency acute surgical services at Our Lady's Hospital in Navan, with effect from September 1st this year.

Earlier this year, the HSE North East identified two general surgery cases with poor clinical outcomes. It later identified four laparoscopic surgery cases where outcomes were also poor. The HSE has asked the RCSI to nominate two senior clinicians to review the two general surgery cases. The precise format of this review will be finalised shortly and the review will be concluded as soon as possible. The HSE has appointed a review team of three senior surgeons, with appropriate experience and standing, to undertake a review of the four laparoscopic cases. This review is expected to take approximately two months.

Four reviews have been conducted into the Department of Surgery in Navan since 2005. The HSE has accepted all of the recommendations of these reviews and is committed to their ongoing implementation. All decisions regarding the location of services will be taken with patient safety as the priority. Minor elective surgery and endoscopy will remain in Navan. The Hospital also continues to be the regional centre for elective orthopaedic surgery.