Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 409: To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding proposed changes by the Health Service Executive earlier this year to services at the regional Orthopaedic Hospital in Croom, County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19609/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

When the planned activity and expenditure levels of Croom Orthopaedic Hospital exceeded approved levels earlier this year, proposals were devised to achieve the savings required to remain within budget. The focus was on maintaining activity at current levels, and on ensuring no breaches of waiting time targets for hip and knee replacements. The efficiency measures were agreed with the Clinicians at the hospital. The HSE is now monitoring the position very closely to ensure that the financial savings and other targets that have been set will be achieved.

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 410: To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the status and use of Alzheimer's and hospice units at St. Ita's Community Hospital in Newcastle West, County Limerick and future plans he may have for these units; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19610/11]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Derek Nolan (Galway West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 411: To ask the Minister for Health if progress has been made by the special delivery unit in reducing waiting times for MRI scans in Galway; if the overall number of patients waiting has been reduced from 273 at the end of May 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19636/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I announced the establishment of the Special Delivery Unit (SDU) on 1 June. This has been one of my key priorities since becoming Minister for Health, because am determined to tackle the delays in access to hospital services, whether for emergency or elective care. The SDU is also a critical building block in the Government's plans to radically reform the health system in Ireland, with the ultimate goal of introducing a system of hospital trusts and access to services based on Universal Health Insurance (UHI).

I have appointed Dr Martin Connor as Special Advisor to the SDU and to the Board of the HSE. Dr Connor is an international expert, with a proven track record in health service transformation. He has extensive experience in the NHS and led a similar initiative in Northern Ireland with considerable success. His principal task will be to build up the SDU and to prepare proposals for me on how best it can be placed on a permanent footing. Dr Connor has already begun to work with the hospital system, to put in place new arrangements to reduce waiting times in emergency departments and to improve access to elective inpatient and day case services. This includes a detailed analysis of the emergency and elective access system.

Part of the SDU's task will be to help speed up access to diagnostic tests, including MRIs. The SDU is, of course, at an early stage of its work as yet, but am determined that it will deal with the unacceptable waiting time across a range of areas, including access to MRIs.