Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 380: To ask the Minister for Health the timetable for the threatened removal of 24-hour accident and emergency services from St. Colmcille's Hospital, Loughlinstown, County Dublin; the steps he will take to prevent this removal of services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16368/11]

Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 400: To ask the Minister for Health if there are any proposals to reduce the service at a hospital (details supplied) in view of recent statements regarding the emergency service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16587/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 380 and 400 together.

I have made it clear that I expect to be briefed by the HSE regarding proposals to withdraw services from individual hospitals.

While there is no plan to cease any of the current services at St. Columcille's Hospital, the configuration of services is constantly reviewed and from time to time re-arranged to improve access and quality of service and minimise risk to patients. In relation to Accident and Emergency Services, a trauma by-pass arrangement was introduced in recent years which allows for such patients to be brought directly to St. Vincent's University Hospital to ensure the most appropriate treatment.

This programme of realignment of services has received recent impetus from HIQA in relation to the need to implement the recommendations from the Ennis and Mallow reports. The reports deal in particular with the type of services that can safely be provided in smaller hospitals, and with the structures required for good governance and accountability. The HSE must ensure that this happens and I will be monitoring the situation closely in conjunction with HIQA. I can clearly assure the public that no hospitals will close, regardless of the difficult economic situation we find ourselves in. However, ongoing reform of the system may result in some changes in how care is delivered in any particular location across our health system.

With regard to the Emergency Department at St Columcille's Hospital, I am in ongoing discussions with the various stakeholders in order to identify a solution to the recruitment of NCHD's nationwide. I will have greater clarity on this issue in the next few weeks.