Brian Stanley (Laois, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

144. To ask the Minister for Health if an external facilitator has been appointed for the consultation on the future of Portlaoise hospital. [43502/18]

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

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 I have outlined previously, no decision has been made yet on the draft Action Plan for Portlaoise Hospital. I intend to appoint an independent, external facilitator for the consultation process in the coming weeks.