David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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406. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost and timeframe for delivery of the three planned elective-only hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10726/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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In December 2021 the Government agreed, subject to the necessary approvals and requirements under the Public Spending Code being met, a new National Elective Ambulatory Care Strategy. The development of additional capacity will be provided through dedicated, stand-alone Elective Hospitals in Cork, Galway and Dublin. The “Elective Hospitals Oversight Group”, under the joint governance of the Department of Health and Health Service Executive, has been guiding the development of the elective hospital proposals, following the process outlined in the updated Public Spending Code.

Following the approval of the new Strategy, Project Preliminary Business Cases for the three locations are being finalised for consideration and review by my Department. If approved internally, the Business Cases will be submitted to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform’s recently introduced PSC External Assurance Process and Major Projects Evaluation after which further memoranda for Government could then be brought forward. While it is difficult to be certain about timelines, following these assurance steps I am hopefully we could proceed to approval-in-principle (Gate 1 of the Public Spending Code) in the coming period ahead.

While it is not possible to reveal preliminary costings at this stage, the individual Electives project proposals are following the provisions of the Public Spending Code as required to ensure value for money requirements are met for the evaluation, planning, and management of large public investment projects costing more than €100 million. If approved, the PBC will also be published as required by the PSC.

David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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407. To ask the Minister for Health if any of the planned elective only hospitals will provide more complex elective surgeries that require recovery beds; the location of such hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10727/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Cross Party Sláintecare Report in 2017 articulated a new vision for healthcare in Ireland, including the provision of elective only hospitals, providing protected capacity for elective care. The “Elective Hospitals Oversight Group”, under the joint governance of the Department of Health and Health Service Executive, has been guiding the development of the elective hospital proposals, following the process outlined in the updated Public Spending Code, setting out the value for money requirements for the evaluation, planning, and management of large public investment projects.

In December 2021 the Government agreed, subject to the necessary approvals and requirements under the Public Spending Code being met, a new National Elective Ambulatory Care Strategy which will change the way in which day case, scheduled procedures, surgeries, scans and outpatient services can be better arranged to ensure greater capacity in the future and help to address waiting lists. The development of additional capacity will be provided through dedicated, stand-alone Elective Hospitals in Cork, Galway and Dublin.

The Elective Hospitals will provide additional capacity and help address waiting lists, while being as flexible and adaptable as possible to facilitate a future phase, which would include some elective in-patient treatment. Day procedures offered in the first phase will include Gastrointestinal, Gynaecology, Ophthalmology, and Orthopaedics.