Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 217: To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the proposal to provide a medical assessment unit in Monaghan General Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10472/12]

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

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.

In relation to the detailed information sought by the Deputy, as this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.