asked the Minister for Health if he will make a statement on the future of hospital and out-patient services in Dungarvan, County Waterford.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dungarvan Hospital Services.
14.
The question of hospital and other health services to be provided in Dungarvan is a matter in the first instance for the South-Eastern Health Board.
As far as general hospital services are concerned, the development of Ardkeen hospital will provide for a full range of services for the population of County Waterford. The planning of this development is well advanced.
At present various out-patient clinics are held in Dungarvan including developmental paediatric, ophthalmic, dental, psychiatric, BCG Vaccination, immunisation and chest examination together with radiography and physiotherapy services. The needs of the people of Dungarvan will be kept fully under review by the South-Eastern Health Board, in consultation with my Department, in the light of developments in the area.
Have the South-Eastern Health Board made any application to the Minister's Department for an extension of the services available in Dungarvan?
The South-Eastern Health Board have given as their top priority the development of Ardkeen hospital. There was pressure in recent years not to have the Dungarvan hospital closed. It is not intended to close it. Problems arise where one hospital in a health board area is being developed as the major hospital. This is a choice which the health board have to make. The services which can be maintained for the district by the Dungarvan Hospital will be maintained.
The Minister referred to the upgrading of Ardkeen hospital to a regional hospital which, as he explained, will require all of next year for future planning before consideration can be given to its going for tender and work commencing. Is the Minister now giving the House an assurance that all of the existing services available in Dungarvan will be continued, irrespective of whatever upgrading takes place in Ardkeen?
If the Deputy puts down that question I will have it examined in detail. The services of a district hospital will be maintained in Dungarvan.
The question is specific. It asks the Minister to make a statement on the future of hospital and out-patient services in Dungarvan, County Waterford. I am asking whether the existing services will be maintained irrespective of any other development.
There is no proposal at the moment not to maintain them. They will be developed in the context of a regional hospital. Obviously there will have to be a relationship between the two hospitals.
I would prefer an affirmative to a double negative.