asked the Minister for Health the progress that has been made since his announcement of the new Dublin hospital plan in November, 1974.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Hospital Plan.
12.
In reply to a question by Deputy O'Connell on 18th March last I indicated that my Department had written to the various hospital authorities, Comhairle na nOspidéal, the Dublin Regional Hospital Board and the Eastern Health Board giving details of the procedures proposed for the systematic planning and implementation of the Dublin hospital development programme, asking them if they were in agreement with the proposals set out in the letter on the functions of the different bodies, and inviting them, if desired, to a discussion about the proposals.
Following this, all the hospital authorities and Comhairle na nOspidéal had separate discussions on the proposals with my Department. At the end of June a further letter issued to the bodies mentioned outlining formally the situation on conclusion of the discussions and indicating the next steps to be taken.
Since then a project team to prepare a brief for the major development at St. James's Hospital have been established and a joint working group representing the Department and Comhairle na nOspidéal have been set up to prepare a discussion document on the future development and allocation of specialties in and between the major hospitals in Dublin and the role of the specialist hospitals in relation to the major centres. The working group are expected to complete their task within the next month and the various interested authorities will then be asked to let me have their views on the document. This is an important exercise, particularly in relation to the determination of the size and content of the major hospitals.
Simultaneously, negotiations are in progress to obtain a site of about 35 acres at Beaumont Convalescent Home, on the acquisition of which the Sisters of Mercy have agreed in principle, and discussions on town planning and service matters in relation to the site are being held with Dublin Corporation. Possible sites for the new hospital in south-west Dublin are also being explored.
I should like to ask the Minister if any decision has been reached in regard to the Federated Dublin Hospitals, such as Sir Patrick Dun's and the Royal City of Dublin hospitals which are due to be closed? Will they be closed in five years' time or when?
It is the intention that they would move themselves, so to speak, to the six general hospitals that have been announced. The specialties that will go into the six hospitals have yet to be decided.
Can the Minister say when Sir Patrick Dun's Hospital will close?
I cannot say that. It will all depend on the amount of time taken to go through all the necessary procedures in the building of the two hospitals, in particular, and the improvement of the other four hospitals.
Will the Minister have another look at this matter?
For what reason?
So that the Minister will be in a position to say that the hospitals I have mentioned will close in a particular year.
I do not anticipate that it will happen within a year. I had occasion to tell how long it would take to build a hospital but where Sir Patrick Dun's will go I cannot say; whether it will be Beaumont or Newlands it will not be for a long time.
In the light of the discussion we had a short time ago about Beaumont hospital would the Minister consider appointing a senior officer of his Department, or similar person, to be a project director for this undertaking? It would appear that if it is left to the normal departmental process it will be a long time before this hospital will be available for the north side of the city. In view of the urgency of the matter would the Minister consider some sort of special approach along the lines I have suggested? The person I have suggested should have plenary powers and be in complete control of getting the project off the ground.
That is an admirable suggestion if it could be implemented but the Deputy will appreciate that discussions will have to take place between Comhairle na nOspidéal and the Department of Health. Needless to remark, the Eastern Health Board would also be involved. Last week the Deputy queried the length of time it might take to build Beaumont and, as far as I am concerned, I will try to cut down on that proposed time scale as much as I can. The idea of a project manager, or a project director, is one I cannot comment on at present because I do not know what the implications might be. I do not know what freedom he might have because in a delicate matter like this where so many hospitals are to be amalgamated and transferred the boards of the hospitals concerned would have to have their view considered also.
I am referring exclusively to Beaumont. As the Minister knows, in the bureaucratic machine what is everybody's business is nobody's business and for this reason would the Minister not see merit in appointing a special person, directly responsible to him, to have full authority and responsibility for this project?
I do not like to call that a short cut but if that could be done it might advance the building of the hospital. All I can say now is that I will give consideration to what the Deputy has suggested.