Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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381. To ask the Minister for Health if a consultation process has commenced relating to the Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise, as previously indicated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29307/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I am committed to securing and further developing the role of the Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise as a constituent hospital within the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group. Since 2014, the focus has been on supporting the hospital to develop and enhance management capability, implementing changes required to address clinical service deficiencies, and incorporating the hospital into the governance structures within the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group.

Significant work has been undertaken to strengthen and stabilise current arrangements for services at the hospital to ensure that services that are not sustainable are discontinued and those that are, are safety assured and adequately resourced. Funding has increased by 35% relative to the 2012 budget and staffing levels have risen by 29% from the 2014 base. Governance and management arrangements in Portlaoise Hospital have been strengthened, additional clinical staff has been appointed and staff training, hospital culture and communications have improved.

As agreed at a meeting with Laois Oireachtas members, I am currently giving consideration to a process for wider consultation and no decision has been made on future changes to services at Portlaoise.