asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the outdated conditions of the surgical unit, the operating theatre and other facilities at Wexford county hospital; when building of the new county hospital will commence; if he will give details of the building programme and the time span for each phase; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Wexford Hospital.
671.
I am aware that the surgical unit in the General Hospital, Wexford, is accommodated in a very old building and that the operating theatre and other facilities are very inadequate.
In November 1982 the provision of a new surgical unit at the General Hospital, Wexford, was approved by my Department. The proposed new unit will consist of two new theatres and ancillary facilities, together with two ward blocks and accommodation for x-ray and casualty services and will replace the existing unsatisfactory facilities in the hospital. On 28 August last approval was conveyed to the health board to proceed to stage 5 of the planning process, i.e. preparation of bills of quantities, tendering procedures and conditions of contract. The contract for the site development was awarded in July 1983 and this work is now complete.
I am not in a position at the moment to say when this project will commence. Given the time that it will take to complete the planning process it would not be possible to start the building work before January 1986 at the earliest but the precise timing of this work must await determination of the health capital programme for the next three years which is at present being considered in my Department.