Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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Question 226: To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding Mallow General Hospital, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36516/11]

Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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Question 227: To ask the Minister for Health if he will outline future plans for service provision at Mallow General Hospital, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36517/11]

Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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Question 228: To ask the Minister for Health if he will outline his plans for emergency service provision at Mallow General Hospital, County Cork; the date on which a decision will be made with regard to the future of the emergency department there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36518/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 226 to 228, inclusive, together.

The Government intends to publish a framework for the development of smaller hospitals, which will set out the way these hospitals provide services to patients and how they work within their regional hospital networks. The framework and its implementation is a priority of the Government. In developing the framework, the Government is clear that:

- there is an important future role for smaller hospitals, in which they will provide services for more patients, not fewer

- no acute hospital will close, and

- safety issues in all acute hospitals, large or small, must be fully addressed, by providing the right type of services in the right settings.

We also need to take into account the individual circumstances of each hospital, to recognise the need for regional solutions and, within the excellent context provided by the HSE's clinical programmes, to encourage local innovation in response to service issues that arise locally or regionally. The best solutions will vary between regions and within the overall context referred to there is no question of a 'one size fits all' approach. I have already said that the reorganisation of our acute system must involve a two way transfer of services between the larger and smaller hospitals, and that as much of the less complex acute treatment should be provided as close to a patient's community as possible. I expect that the model for reassignment of services will be a dynamic one, capable of adapting to the changing needs of patients and the health service, nationally, regionally and locally, and the evolving nature of medical treatment and technology.

In April this year, HIQA published its report on Mallow General Hospital. I am satisfied that the actions taken in relation to the hospital have addressed many of the report's recommendations on the safety and quality of the hospital's services. This work has involved close consultation with senior clinicians, professionals and management.

Detailed planning for the remaining changes, including changes to the emergency department necessarily involves significant local consultation, in line with the smaller hospitals framework. The involvement of GPs is an important element of the consultation process and the final proposals will be cleared with my office before formal implementation commences.

The overall approach at Mallow is in line with my vision for smaller hospitals – that they are a vibrant element of local health services, providing treatment and care at the appropriate level of complexity to patients in their own areas. It confirms the crucial role that Mallow Hospital will play, as part of a wider network of acute hospitals across Cork and Kerry, in providing care for the population of North Cork.