Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 699: To ask the Minister for Health the current services provided by Navan Hospital, County Meath; and his future plans for this hospital. [22464/11]

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

6153Navan Hospital is an integral part of the Louth / Meath Hospital Group and I am determined that it will continue to play an important role in the delivery of clinical services in the Louth / Meath area and to patients in other parts of the North East Region.

Navan Hospital provides inpatient services including general acute medical, elective orthopaedic including complex joint replacement surgery, ICU, CCU and HDU. Day services include medical and surgical, elective endoscopy and elective orthopaedic surgery. There is a 12 hour Medical Assessment Unit and an out patient department incorporating orthopaedic, gynaecology, ophthalmology and paediatric clinics. Other services include day medical cardiology, day diabetic, radiology, laboratory, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech and language therapy.

At present Navan Hospital also continues to provide a twenty-four hour Emergency Department. I have stated that any changes to the operation of the Emergency Department can only be carried out after significant improvement in the performance of the Emergency Department at Drogheda.

In order to fully consider the issues involved, I will be taking account of the current organisation of acute services in the region and the important clinical programmes being developed by the HSE. I acknowledge the need for communication with the local community at this time and understand that the HSE is available to meet with community representatives, as I am myself.

In this regard, I met with the consultants in Navan Hospital and with the Save Navan Hospital Alliance last week. At that meeting I set out the position with regard to the Emergency Department at Navan Hospital. I am absolutely clear that, due to need to ensure the safe delivery of services and best outcomes for patients, changes need to take place at the Emergency Department. However I have been equally clear that such changes need to be carried out in a planned way and that there will be full consultation on any changes. I estimate that it will be at least six months before any changes to the Emergency Department in Navan can be effected.