asked the Minister for Health if he will make a statement on a recent report (details supplied) that the joint committee of his Department and Comhairle na nOspidéal which has been examining the rationalisation of acute hospital services in this country has recommended the closure of a further 15 hospitals.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Acute Hospital Services.
53.
First of all, may I say that the report referred to was not a report of a joint committee of my Department and Comhairle na nOspidéal. It was a preliminary copy of an internal working document which the comhairle were considering on what they believe might be the future long-term shape of the hospital system. I might say that as Minister for Health I have received a number of reports offering me advice on a variety of topics. May I say that I welcome such advice?
As the Deputy is aware, I initiated a review of the acute care hospital system earlier this year and as part of this review I consulted widely with all interests involved in the delivery of these services. Many of the findings of this review are now being implemented as part of the rationalisation of the acute hospital system and this rationalisation has not been influenced in any way by the document.In conclusion may I repeat that the document in question has no official standing?
Would the Minister confirm that the committee who released the document were appointed by him, that he was given guidelines that they should achieve a one-third reduction in acute hospital beds and a reduction of £165 million in hospital allocations? Would the Minister now confirm to the House that the following hospitals are safe and will remain open: Cherry Orchard, Peamount, Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Dún Laoghaire, Bantry and Mallow hospitals? Will the three voluntary hospitals and the orthopaedic hospital in Cork city continue and will the hospitals in Airmount, Waterford, Cashel, Clonmel and Nenagh survive?
I want to advise Deputy Allen that I propose to deal with other questions at 3.45 p.m.
I was very orderly.
It is up to the Deputy to co-operate with the Chair in disposing of his questions. A series of questions of that kind is not in order.
As I have already stated, the document referred to by the Deputy was not requested by me. It was an internal working document from Comhairle na nOspidéal. Comhairle na nOspidéal, within their rights, may advise the Minister or any other body established under the Health Act, 1970, on matters relating to the organisation and operation of hospital services. I made it clear in this House that, so far as I am concerned, the acute hospitals to be closed have either been closed or are in the process of being closed at present. I made that clear to the House.
Will the Minister still stand over his initial reaction to this report when he said that no further hospital closures will take place this year or next year?
Not alone did I say that when this report was published, but also speaking to the chairman and CEOs of the health boards when they received their allocations I informed them that I did not see any reason why there should be further acute hospital closures. In regard to some of the hospitals Deputy Allen mentioned, for example, Cherry Orchard Hospital, obviously the role of that hospital should be reviewed in the light of the fact that there has been a drop in the number of infectious diseases and perhaps the spare bed capacity could be used up for some other purpose. As regard the closure of acute hospitals, it is not my intention that there should be any further closures of acute hospitals other than those that have been already announced and are either closed or in the process of being closed.
54.
asked the Minister for Health if he will make a statement on the comment made by the chief executive officer of the South Eastern Health Board that hospitals in the region must close in 1988 because of a £4 million reduction in that health board's allocation for 1988.
I am aware of the comments made by the chief executive officer of the South-Eastern Health Board that it is not likely that the board will be able to avoid further acute hospital closures in 1988 as a result of its allocation for next year. It is a matter for the board in the first instance to determine a budget within allocation and to take whatever measures it considers necessary to live within its approved allocation. Nevertheless, I am concerned at the comments of the chief executive officer since it is my belief that there should be no further hospital closures in 1988 other than those which are already in train.
However, this is a matter for consideration by the board itself in the first instance and I will ensure that the management of the board receive all the necessary help and assistance from officials of my Department in framing a budget which will hopefully avoid the need for hospital closures. Pending the passing of a budget by the board for 1988 I do not propose to say anything further on the matter at this stage.
Surely the Minister's reply to this question and his reply to a previous supplementary are contradictory. Earlier he said that there would be no further closures in the coming year and now the chief executive officer of the South Eastern Health Board is saying that at least five hospitals will close. Will the Minister give an assurance that a sufficient allocation will be given to the South Eastern Health Board to secure the survival of hospitals such as Gorey District Hospital, Dungarvan District Hospital, St. Luke's Hospital, Kilkenny, St. Otteran's Psychiatric hospital in Waterford and the Haughton Hospital in New Ross? Will the Minister guarantee that these hospitals will survive?
I did not say anything contradictory. I said it was my belief that there should be no further acute hospital closures in 1988 other than those already in train. I was quoting what the chief executive officer said about hospital closures.
The chief executive officer of the South Eastern Health Board has said that the reduction of the allocation from £91.26 million this year to £87.24 million for next year will ensure that some hospitals under the control of that health board will close.
The Deputy is imparting information rather than seeking it.