Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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950. To ask the Minister for Health her response to the HIQA review on urgent and emergency healthcare services in HSE midwest; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66261/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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HIQA published their independent and expert review of urgent and emergency healthcare services in the HSE Mid West Region on Tuesday 30th September.

The HIQA report clearly identifies that the lack of sufficient acute inpatient beds in UHL and the Mid West region is the core issue that needs to be addressed urgently.

The report presents three options for how to best address the capacity gap. These include the expansion of capacity at UHL on the Dooradoyle site (Option A); the extension of the UHL hospital campus to include a second site in close proximity under a shared governance and resourcing model (Option B); and the development of a Model 3 hospital in HSE Mid West, providing a second emergency department (ED) for the region (Option C).

My officials and I are considering the comprehensive and detailed reports and advice provided by HIQA, including the three options identified. I will report back to Government on these options and considerations before the end of the year.