Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

379. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to transfer maternity services from Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33688/16]

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

The Dublin Midlands Hospital Group has recently produced a draft plan which sets out a proposed service design for a new model of clinical service delivery at Portlaoise Hospital. The draft plan has been discussed with the Department and is currently the subject of further work and consideration within the HSE with a view to finalising it for submission to the Department. I will then be briefed in advance of further necessary consultations with all relevant stakeholders.

Any change to services at Portlaoise Hospital, including plans for service reconfiguration, will be undertaken in a planned and orderly manner and will take account of current use of services, demands in other hospitals, and the need to develop particular services at Portlaoise in the context of overall service reconfiguration in the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group.