John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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246. To ask the Minister for Health following on from various commitments and promises made to the people of Waterford in relation to the change of Waterford Regional Hospital to Waterford University Hospital as the proposed second largest hospital in the southern group, when WUH can expect to see a fulfilment of the guarantee of service given by him and his Department in the recent reconfiguration announcements, where 24-7 cardiology treatment was promised; when the necessary capital expenditure to provide and additional cath lab and a staff compliment of five cardiologists and allied supporting staff will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54666/13]

John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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249. To ask the Minister for Health when the five promised professional academic posts will be filled in Waterford University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54669/13]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 246 and 249 together.

On foot of the publication of the Report on the Establishment of Hospital Groups, a Strategic Advisory Group is being put in place to oversee the establishment of Hospital Groups and the reorganisation of acute hospital services. Each hospital group will work as a single cohesive entity managed as one, maximising the amount of care delivered locally, whilst ensuring complex care is safely provided in larger hospitals.

As was committed to at the time of the Report’s publication, Waterford will continue to operate as a cancer centre under the National Cancer Control Programme; it will be the hub for the South-East renal service, and a regional trauma centre including ED, Ear Nose and Throat and Ophthalmology. It will also continue to provide invasive cardiology services for the South-East population. I understand that the HSE is currently examining options within the existing hospital for the location of the second Cath Laboratory.

In addition, an undertaking was given that my Department and the HSE would work with University College Cork to enable Waterford hospital to become a University Teaching Hospital and this work is ongoing.

Within one year of their formation, Hospital Groups will be required to submit a strategic plan outlining plans for future services within the group area and the role of each hospital in the group. These strategic plans will afford an opportunity for all hospitals in the group to work together to address the opportunities and challenges of service reorganisation.

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John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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247. To ask the Minister for Health where critical care capacity inadequacies have been acknowledge within Waterford University Hospital resulting in the regular cancellation of elective cancer surgeries due to the lack of critical care beds, when will the shortfall be addressed by his Department; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that WUH currently has one consultant gastroenterologist and only one colorectal surgeon on staff which is completely insufficient to meet the ongoing demand particularly where this hospital is to be a critical care centre; when the provision of additional critical care personnel will be sanctioned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54667/13]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Waterford Regional Hospital currently has 6 Intensive Care Unit beds and 4 High Dependency Unit beds. In August/September this year, the High Dependency Unit beds were closed for a number of weeks due to a shortage of staff which arose from retirements and maternity leave. These closures necessitated the deferral of some elective surgeries, including cancer surgeries, and these have since been completed.

The cancer surgery workload at Waterford Regional Hospital has increased in recent years. In view of this and other demands, consideration is being given to the expansion of the number of Intensive Care Unit beds, as well as the recruitment for a second Consultant Gastroenterologist and Consultant Colorectal Surgeon, in line with the availability of resources.

John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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248. To ask the Minister for Health the level of support Waterford University Hospital can expect to receive from University College Cork in terms of further development of cancer services in Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54668/13]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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As outlined in the Report on the Establishment of Hospital Groups, Waterford Regional Hospital will be part of the South/South West Group. Under these arrangements Waterford will continue to operate as a cancer centre. UCC will be the primary academic partner for the South/South West Hospital Group and this will be to the benefit of all hospitals in the Group across all services, including cancer services, in the areas of research, education and innovation. Furthermore, work with UCC is ongoing to enable Waterford Hospital to become a University Hospital.