Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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Question 547: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if he has instructed the Health Service Executive not to close one of the operating theatres and the associated ward closure in a hospital (details supplied) in County Limerick, which is due to be implemented effective on 3 May 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10152/11]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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Question 556: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if he will initiate a review of an announcement of the Health Service Executive to close on a temporary basis, a surgical ward and operating theatre at Croom Orthopaedic Hospital, County Limerick due to budgetary constraints within the Mid-Western Hospital Group on the basis that Croom Orthopaedic Hospital is reported to be currently operating within budget. [9048/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 547 and 556 together.

In common with other public services, the health services are facing significant financial challenges. The key priority for the Government and the HSE in dealing with the serious budget pressures on the health services is to minimise the effect on services for patients to the greatest degree possible. There is, however, a requirement on health agencies to take all appropriate steps to keep within budget and to take early and decisive action to ensure that potential overruns are addressed while maintaining services.

As the planned activity and expenditure levels of Croom Orthopaedic Hospital during the first quarter of the year exceeded approved levels, it has become necessary for the HSE to devise proposals to address this issue. I sought an immediate briefing from the HSE on its proposals. I indicated to the Executive that it should ensure that the service plan targets for Croom are at least met and if possible exceeded. This would require a particular focus on efficiency improvements including increasing day of surgery admission rates, and additional day case work. I also insisted that outpatient waiting lists be addressed, so that patients do not have to wait for unacceptable periods of time.

In response to the concerns I raised, I have now been advised by the HSE that a plan has been devised that will realise savings of €2.1m in the current year on the basis of continuing activity at current levels, with no breaches of waiting time targets for hip and knee replacements. This is to be achieved through a combination of efficiency measures agreed with the Clinicians as follows:

Improved management of day of admission for surgical procedures

Improved management of average length of stay

Cost control in relation to medical and surgical supplies

Improved income collection and bed management

I am pleased to say that an additional 6,000 out-patients will be seen in Croom through a series of measures in the areas of physiotherapy, pain management and other services. The combination of these measures will result in a major reduction in the numbers of patients awaiting outpatient appointments in the mid-west area. I am committed to ensuring acute hospital services at national, regional and local level are provided in a clinically appropriate and efficient manner. In particular, I want to ensure that as many services as possible can be provided safely in smaller local hospitals. Finally, I want to acknowledge the important role that Croom Orthopaedic Hospital plays as part of the health services infrastructure of the Mid-West.