Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 295: To ask the Minister for Health if it is still the case, as stated by the Health Service Executive in May 2011, that there are no plans to remove any services from the Midland Hospital, Mullingar, County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21456/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply. Moreover, I have made it clear that I expect to be briefed, in advance, where there are any proposals to withdraw services from individual hospitals.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 297: To ask the Minister for Health when he approved the Health Service Executive plan for the closure of the accident and emergency department at Roscommon County Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21481/11]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 298: To ask the Minister for Health the steps that he is taking to fulfil commitments given to the people of Roscommon in Dáil Éireann on 5 July 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21482/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 297 and 298 together.

The HSE plan implementing the changes to the Accident and Emergency Services at Roscommon County Hospital came into effect on 11 July. This saw the establishment of an Urgent Care Centre in place of the Accident and Emergency Department. Persons with acute or life threatening conditions such as heart attacks are being brought by ambulance to larger hospitals, such as Galway, with higher volumes of patients and better outcomes for such conditions.

The Urgent Care Centre operates from 8am to 8pm seven days a week and is provided by Non Consultant Hospital Doctors (NCHDs) with clinical governance provided by an Emergency Medicine Consultant at Galway. As part of the transitional arrangements for a four week period, an NCHD is also available at the Urgent Care Centre from 8pm to 8am supervised by an on call consultant.

An enhanced ambulance service has been put in place. During the day four ambulances staffed by paramedics are available while three are available at night. In addition there is a special Rapid Response Vehicle, staffed by an Advanced Paramedic on a 24/7 basis. An out of hours GP service is also in operation. A Medical Assessment Unit is open from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday. This is a medical admission pathway and accepts referrals from a range of sources, including General Practioners. I was briefed on the plan by the HSE in advance of its implementation. The plan was necessitated by the serious patient safety concerns of the HSE and of the Health Information and Quality Authority in relation to the accident and emergency service at Roscommon following the publication of the Authority's Report on Mallow. This was compounded because of NCHD recruitment difficulties.

Roscommon Hospital has a clear future, and will continue to provide key services to the people of the area. I am committed to the expansion of appropriate services like diagnostics at the hospital. I have asked the HSE to develop proposals in this regard as quickly as possible.