Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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13. To ask the Minister for Health if he is satisfied that working conditions at the Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar, County Westmeath, are safe for staff and patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8037/15]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I acknowledge the challenge that the recent surge in activity has presented for patients and the staff of the Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar who are doing their utmost to maintain standards of care. Addressing this issue, nationally and locally, is a priority for me and for the Government and the Deputy will be aware that I established the Emergency Department Taskforce at the end of last year to develop sustainable solutions to ED overcrowding.

A number of initiatives have been put in place to alleviate the situation in Mullingar Hospital. These include the operation of an Acute Medical Assessment Unit, at least twice daily ward rounds and late evening hours worked by clinicians, daily bed management meetings, improved patient discharge, initiatives to limit or avoid admissions for certain conditions and close communication with local GPs.

The HSE has also advised that it has reviewed overall staffing levels at Mullingar, particularly in the Emergency Department and Obstetrics & Gynaecology. Additional staff posts have been agreed, along with the ongoing process of agency conversion and replacement of vacant positions, with 90 staff in total to be recruited. This includes a net increase of 35 nursing staff. The recruitment of midwives and general nurses is well underway.

Mullingar Midland Regional Hospital is part of the Ireland East Hospital Group. In 2015, there will be an enhanced co-operation amongst all the hospitals in this Group, which will provide further support for the staff in Mullingar hospital to deliver high-quality, safe patient care on an ongoing basis.