asked the Minister for Health the proposed size of the new hospital to be built at Beaumont, Dublin; when it is intended that building will commence; and the projected date of completion.
15.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Hospitals.
14.
asked the Minister for Health if the catchment areas for the proposed new hospitals at Tallaght and at Beaumont, Dublin, have been defined; and, if so, if he will state the areas, together with population figures.
16.
asked the Minister for Health the number of bed places planned for the proposed new hospitals at Tallaght and at Beaumont, Dublin.
17.
asked the Minister for Health at what stage plans are for the proposed new hospitals at Tallaght and at Beaumont, Dublin; and when it is anticipated that tenders for their construction will be invited.
18.
asked the Minister for Health if any staff have as yet been appointed to the proposed new hospitals at Tallaght and at Beaumont, Dublin.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Question Nos. 14 to 18, inclusive, together.
The catchment area of Beaumont Hospital for general purposes comprises mainly the north eastern portion of Dublin city and county, with a population of 210,000, but it will cover a much wider population for certain specialties. The hospital is being planned on the basis of a bed complement of 730 beds.
Can the Minister indicate if the area of Ballymun is being included in the catchment area for the hospital at Beaumont and also whether the number of bed places meets with the agreement of the medical members of the proposed new board at Beaumont?
Unless I misheard, I do not think the Minister answered the question as to when building will commence and the projected date of completion.
I think I have another question on that. The bed complement in the projected hospital is worked out as accurately as possible on the basis of certain standards of measurement. There has been a good deal of discussion among the various bodies and individuals concerned and 730 has now been finally accepted by all the parties involved as the right number and the hospital is now proceeding on that basis.
I asked in an earlier supplementary if the area of Ballymun is being included in the catchment area.
The catchment areas are not defined that rigidly. If the Deputy is concerned about the convenience of the people of Ballymun, I think it will be largely determined by themselves. Beaumont will be quite convenient to them but the Mater Hospital, the other major hospital, would probably for some of them be equally convenient.
I do not think the Minister included an answer to the question about when the building will commence and the projected date of completion.
Or an answer to Questions Nos. 17 and 18.
I am sorry. I was under the impression that was a different question. I do know that somewhere in these answers there is full information in that regard. Perhaps the Deputy would wait until I come to it?
May I draw attention to the fact that the Minister has not answered Questions Nos. 17 or 18 in his composite answer?
I beg your pardon. I overlooked a very substantial portion of my reply. I did not give the full answer.
A very human error.
Perhaps I should read it all again.
The catchment area of Beaumont Hospital for general purposes comprises mainly the north eastern portion of Dublin city and county, with a population of 210,000, but it will cover a much wider population for certain specialties. The hospital is being planned on the basis of a bed complement of 730 beds.
The design for the nearly completed hospital at Wilton, Cork, is being used for Beaumont Hospital and this has enabled the project to be developed rapidly.
The site appraisal and survey has been completed and preliminary site engineering work will start this month.
The main building contract is scheduled to commence in January, 1978, and building will proceed as rapidly thereafter as possible.
Planning of the proposed new hospital at Tallaght is at a preliminary stage. The bed complement of the hospital has not been established. This will be related to the catchment area and the population to be served by the hospital and these have not been finally determined. It is envisaged however that for general purposes the hospital will serve the needs of the western developing areas of Dublin as well as parts of counties Kildare and Wicklow, with a much wider population being served for some specialities.
It is not possible at this stage to indicate when tenders for the construction of the hospital will be invited.
No staff has been appointed to either of the proposed hospitals.
The Minister may not be able to answer but in relation to the duration of building these days how long would a hospital of 700 to 750 beds be likely to take—three years?
Two to three years.
Can the Minister indicate that the plans for Beaumont will be identical in every respect with the plans for the new hospital at Wilton?
No.
Is the Minister aware of criticism that has been made of facilities in the theatre area and ancillary facilities at Wilton and the suggestion that these should be redesigned in relation to the hospital at Beaumont?
The board of Beaumont hospital are operating on the principle that any alterations or changes that can be made without interfering with the progress of the hospital will be made by the design team but no major alterations will be undertaken. Within the context of the overall contract it will be possible for the design team to make some changes to suit particular requirements provided they do not interfere with the expeditious pursuance of the contract.
I am also told that in respect of the hospital in Cork very serious complaints have been made about its suitability. I accept that the Minister is under the pressure of speed in relation to Beaumont but does he think that even at the risk of some delay it would perhaps be appropriate to look at some major changes that might be required in plans to ensure that this new hospital in the Dublin area meets all modern requirements?
I cannot accept that the position is as stated in the Deputy's question because practically everybody concerned with the erection of the Beaumont Hospital went and visited the hospital in Cork, saw it at first hand at my invitation, and discussed the situation with the people in Cork. We have no indication from anybody that there is any dissatisfaction with the Cork hospital.
We have covered the ground pretty well now and we will move on.
This is a very important matter.
I will permit one quick supplementary.
Criticism has been levelled at the theatre facilities and the ancillary facilities for theatre staff at Wilton by a theatre sister and reported in the Press. This is an area to which attention should be given.
I would not pay too much attention to those sort of Press reports if I were the Deputy.
The Minister is conscious of the Press when it suits him.
The people concerned in this are very high level and expert people involved in the whole planning and design of this hospital. All the factors have been taken into account. They are all meeting together on the Beaumont board. I can assure the Deputy that the hospital will proceed and will give satisfaction.