Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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34. To ask the Minister for Health if his Department has provided the resources to the emergency department at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, that were identified in the HSE review of the closure of the emergency department at Navan hospital; and if the review will be published. [61088/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I am acutely aware that proposed changes to health services can cause considerable worry for staff and local communities affected. 

I have made it clear to the HSE that there has been no change to the Government position, and that the HSE is not authorised to proceed with the reconfiguration of the Emergency Department at Our Lady’s Hospital, Navan or to implement a full ambulance bypass protocol. 

Any consideration of changes in our healthcare system must ensure that patients have access to safe, high quality services when they need them, including for patients who are critically ill and who may require access to a range of specialties. This requires appropriate planning and investment.

As the Deputy will be aware, I asked the HSE to undertake a review of capacity which was received in October. This review is currently under consideration and engagement in relation to this matter is ongoing.

I did agree that an update is warranted to the existing ambulance bypass protocol from the week commencing 12th December. This is to address urgent patient safety matters for the small number of patients presenting in ambulances to Navan who are critically or seriously unwell or likely to deteriorate. 

I have encouraged the HSE to engage further with the Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital management team with a view to ensuring sufficient capacity is in place across the region to meet demand.