Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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540. To ask the Minister for Health the list of services on offer at a hospital (details supplied); if there is room to utilise more of this building; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4144/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.

Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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541. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to provide enhancements to services at a hospital (details supplied); if enhancements have been implemented on site in the past 12 months; if additional staff have been acquired; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4149/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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A key part of the Government’s plan for our healthcare system is the most significant reform of our hospital service since the foundation of the State - the establishment of hospital groups operating as single cohesive units with their own governance and management. Hospital Groups enable a better configuration of hospital services with benefits relating to safety, quality, access, cost and sustainable medical staffing and every hospital in the group, large and small, statutory and voluntary, will play a vital role within the Group. Hospitals working together in a Group will be able to support each other, providing a stronger role for smaller hospitals in delivering less complex care, and ensuring that those who require emergency or complex planned care are managed safely in larger hospitals.

The Smaller Hospitals Framework focuses in particular on the future role of smaller hospitals and outlines the wide range of services that can be provided within these smaller hospitals. It also outlines the potential to expand the services delivered in smaller hospitals, especially in services such as:

- day surgery (e.g. cataracts, hernia repairs, gynaecological procedures, and other surgeries that can safely be done in a day-based environment);

- ambulatory care (including chronic disease management and assessment for older persons);

- medical services (including cardiac failure clinics, cardiac rehabilitation, COPD outreach and clinics, rheumatology, dermatology, diabetic day centre, rehabilitation, and a range of others depending on local policies and protocols);

- diagnostics (including blood tests, X-rays, endoscopy, bronchoscopy and sigmoidoscopy).

As a Model 2 hospital, Monaghan does not have a 24/7 Emergency Department or critical care unit. However, in line with the Framework, Monaghan Hospital has a Minor Injuries Unit located on site.

I am committed to securing and further developing the role of our smaller hospitals with the expansion of services delivered in these hospitals, especially in services such as day surgery; ambulatory care; medical services and diagnostics.

The Programme for Partnership Government commits to a review of Medical Assessment Units, Urgent Care Centres and Minor Injuries Units, including the Unit at Monaghan Hospital. Preliminary scoping work on this review is being carried out.