John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Health when the Framework on Smaller Hospitals Report will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14351/13]

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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To ask the Minister for Health when the Framework on Smaller Hospitals Report will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14350/13]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 166 and 168 together.

I plan to publish, with Government approval, Securing the Future of Smaller Hospitals: A Framework for Development to offer clear information about the role of our smaller hospitals and what they will do in the future. While the Framework focusses in particular on the role of nine smaller hospitals - the names of which follow - which have been the subject of particular attention from the HIQA, the principles behind it will apply to all smaller hospitals, regardless of whether or not they are specifically referenced. The hospitals in question are: Dublin North East - Our Lady’s Hospital Navan and Louth County Hospital Dundalk; Dublin Mid-Leinster - St. Colmcille’s Loughlinstown; South - Mallow and Bantry; and West, - Ennis, Nenagh, St. John’s Limerick and Roscommon County Hospital.

In developing the framework to address the development of smaller hospitals, this 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 service, for the right patient in the right setting.

This Framework will demonstrate clearly that the future of smaller hospitals is secure. It will set out what services can and should be delivered safely by these hospitals in the interest of better outcomes for patients.

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Health if he will detail plans for service change at Navan Hospital, County Meath, for the full year 2013; the services that will be lost and gained; if he will detail staff changes expected for the same period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13772/13]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The Framework for Smaller Hospitals defines the role of the smaller hospitals. It outlines the need for smaller hospitals, such as Navan, and larger hospitals to operate together. The Framework outlines the wide range of services that can be provided within the smaller hospital. It defines the need for the smaller hospital to be supported within a group of hospitals in terms of education and training, continuous professional development, the sustainable recruitment of high quality clinical staff and the safe management of patients who present with varying levels of complexity. It also sets out to address the categories of services that should transfer from the larger to the smaller hospitals and vice versa within a Hospital Group so that services are delivered in the most appropriate hospital. I am determined to ensure that as many services as possible can be provided safely and appropriately in smaller, local hospitals. On this basis, the organisation of hospital services nationally, regionally and locally will be informed by the ongoing development of the HSE Clinical Programmes. With this in mind the Framework will set out what services can and should be delivered safely by these hospitals in the interest of better outcomes for patients.

In relation to the specific hospital named by the Deputy, I have been informed by the HSE that it is planned that the OLHN as part of the Louth Meath Hospital Group (LMHG), will deliver at minimum similar activity volume and range as undertaken during 2012. In additional OLHN will continue to meet the National targets for waiting times for inpatient elective procedures, day case procedures and all endoscopy procedures. I have been further informed that there are currently no planned changes to any service in OLHN other than planned seasonal closures which are scheduled every year to coincide with holiday periods, such as Easter, Summer Term break and Christmas. In terms of service improvements / gains, a second Consultant Rheumatologist has now been appointed to OLHN to further extend the Regional Rheumatology service and provide early and rapid access for patients requiring this service. In addition two permanent Consultant appointments have been made in Endocrinology/Diabetology and Gastroenterology. Both of these appointments have shared sessions with Our Lady of Lourdes, Hospital, Drogheda (OLOL).

With regard to finances, the recent budget allocation for LMHG reflected an uplift of 13.9% on the allocated budget for 2012. Whilst this does not reflect additional monies for Our Lady's Hospital Navan it does mean that the allocation is based on the outturn for 2012. This will ensure that the principles outlined in the service plan of maintaining services and capacity can be confidently managed. The Director General Designate of the HSE has informed me that he put alternative governance arrangements in place for LMHG on 1 December 2012. The LMHG management team no longer report via the Integrated Service Area or Regional Director of Operations but through an Executive Chair. The Executive Chair has a direct reporting relationship with the Deputy Director General/Chief Operating Officer. With regard to staffing for 2013, the HSE informs me that at this point in time there are very few anticipated retirements as many staff availed of the early retirement opportunities in 2012.