Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

202. To ask the Minister for Health the status of replacement operation theatres and a critical care unit for the Midland Regional Hospital in Mullingar including where this project is positioned on the capital programme. [21831/16]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Sufficient funding has been made available in the Capital Plan to appraise and begin the design feasibility of future infrastructural developments at the hospital. Each hospital group will be required to develop a strategic plan to describe how it will provide more efficient and effective patient services and reorganise its services to provide optimal care to the populations it serves. Any future capital investment at the Midland Regional Hospital Mullingar must be considered within the context of future service developments and associated investment in the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group, within the overall acute hospital sector infrastructure programme, and also within the overall capital envelope available to the health service.

In the meantime investment in the hospital infrastructure at the Midland Regional Hospital Mullingar is ongoing. Construction has been completed on the project to refurbish the Emergency Department. This included the refurbishment of the existing ED to modern standards and to deliver improved operational efficiencies, a dedicated paediatric waiting area, a waiting area for adults and an upgrade of the public concourse. The refurbished facility is being opened on a phased basis; phase 1 is operational and phase 2 is imminent. There are also capital funded minor projects recently completed and underway. The HSE is concentrating on applying the funding available for infrastructure development in the most effective way possible to meet current and future needs.