Written answers

Thursday, 14 February 2013

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Health his plans if any to review the provision of non-planned services at Roscommon County Hospital; the proposed development in such services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7434/13]

Photo of James ReillyJames Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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As part of reconfiguration services in Roscommon County Hospital in line with HIQA recommendations by a pass protocol, diverting ambulances to level 3 and 4 hospitals for life-threatening cardiac, respiratory and other serious conditions was put in place before the Emergency Department was closed in 2011. This is in line with national clinical care protocols for best practice and safe management of the patient with a heart attack or stroke. These protocols require such patients to be treated in a level 3 or 4 hospital as a level 2 hospital does not have a Critical Care Unit. Stabilisation of such patients is a key function of pre-hospital emergency care and is carried out by paramedics who assess, treat and stabilise patents prior to transporting them to an appropriate facility for care.

Accident victims should only be managed in a hospital with a full ED department with the necessary available acute care back-up including ICU. The essence is that patients should go to the hospital that is best able to treat them – this is particularly important for heart attack and stroke victims whose survival rate and long term prognosis is dependent on how quickly they reach an appropriate hospital.

Roscommon County Hospital is leading the way by demonstrating the range of services that can be developed in a smaller hospital. In July 2011, Roscommon County Hospital commenced a process of reconfiguring services in line with HIQA recommendations. It now has a Medical Assessment Unit that is open 9-5pm Monday to Friday for the assessment of medical patients who are referred by GPs, after initial phone triage with one of the medical consultants to ensure that the MAU is the appropriate care pathway for that patient. In addition, it has an Urgent Care Centre (UCC) open 8am-8pm, 7 days a week, which deals with minor injuries/trauma.

Developments in 2012 include: Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Sleep Studies, Urology Services, Radiology Upgrade, a newly developed Endoscopy Suite, Dental Service, Nurse Prescribing and re-accreditation for student nurse training.

Roscommon played a key role in Galway/Roscommon Hospital Group, with more than 520 endoscopy procedures transferred from Galway to Roscommon. Future plans for Roscommon hospital see increases in elective inpatient care, in particular in endoscopy – plans for which are well advanced with design agreed, site identified, tender documents complete, funding secured and awaiting planning permission. Roscommon is an excellent example of delivering appropriate care in the appropriate setting to maximise patient safety and resources. With regard to the Deputies specific query on reviewing the provision of "non-planned" services at Roscommon County Hospital, as this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

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