Vol. 475 No. 1
62 Mr. E. Byrne asked the Minister for Health the proposals, if any, he has for the development of a national hospital accommodation strategy in order to take account of projected demographic changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4342/97]
Limerick East): The health strategy document, Shaping a Healthier Future, sets out the approach to the development of acute hospital infrastructure over the coming years. The key elements in this approach are: networking of local and general hospitals through the establishment of hospital groups and clarifying of local service roles, a small number of highly specialised tertiary or super-regional units serving wider catchment areas and concentrating resources to best effect on a national level, developing and improving links with general practitioner services.
This approach forms the basis for current capital planning and I would expect health boards to include demographic analysis in their assessment of service needs and capital development proposals.
