asked the Minister for Health if he will make a statement on his current plans for the future of Our Lady's Hospital, Navan, County Meath.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Navan Hospital.
3.
In my statement introducing the Estimate for the Department of Health on the 8th April last I dealt at some length with the general question of the future of our hospital services with particular reference to the recommendations in the FitzGerald Report. I then indicated that, while the Government had accepted the whole of the report in principle, it would take some time for me to study in depth the proposals for the location of general hospitals, particularly in the midlands area. I also made it clear that no major change in the use of a hospital would take place without full consultation with the interests concerned.
In the case of Our Lady's Hospital, Navan, an important link has been established with St. Laurence's Hospital, Dublin, whereby visiting physicians from St. Laurence's provide a consultant medical service for Our Lady's Hospital. I would hope to see an extension of ties such as this for this hospital and a strengthening of the outpatient consultant services provided there. I expect that this process will be facilitated by the new administrative structure which is provided for in the new Health Act.
Is the Minister aware that there are excellent surgical services available in this hospital and it is essential that these be maintained, particularly for acute cases? Is the Minister further aware that it is highly desirable that Meath people be hospitalised where they can be easily visited by their relatives?
As pointed out in the reply, no major change in the user of the hospital will be made without consultation with the interests concerned. The Deputy may be assured it will be a very considerable time before any such change will be contemplated.