Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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87. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding additional beds at Monaghan Hospital; his plans regarding these additional beds; and his further plans to expand the service delivery profile of the Monaghan Hospital site. [50594/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Increasing hospital bed capacity is a priority for this Government. Over the past 12 months an additional 240 beds have been opened nationally. A further 78 additional acute beds are expected to be opened in early 2019 across the country. In addition, my Department is currently in discussion with the HSE, in the context of the National Service Plan 2019, to identify the sites for investment and the associated number of beds, as part of an agreed capacity programme for 2019.

The selection and opening of beds on specific sites in 2019 and future years will be considered as part of the annual estimates and service planning process, and subject to financial, operation, human resource and policy considerations and priorities.

With regard to expanded services in Monaghan Hospital, the establishment of hospital groups has enabled a better configuration of hospital services with benefits relating to safety, quality, access, cost and sustainable medical staffing. Hospitals working together in a group can 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. As a Model 2 hospital, in line with the Smaller Hospitals Framework, Monaghan Hospital has a Minor Injuries Unit located on site which provides an important service to the local community. I recently met with the RCSI Hospital Group, which includes Monaghan Hospital, to discuss how all hospitals within the group can develop and contribute to improvements in both scheduled and unscheduled care for patients.

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 National Development Plan provides €10.9 billion for Health capital developments across the country, including both national programmes and individual projects, across acute, primary and social care. Health capital projects and programmes currently underway will continue. As to be expected with a ten year plan, many proposals are at an early stage and will require to progress through appraisal, planning design and tender before a firm timeline or funding required can be established.