Dáil Éireann debate - Wednesday, 7 May 1997

Written Answers - Hospital Staffing.

Seán Power

Question:

70 Mr. Power asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the pressures under which the staff in Naas General Hospital, County Kildare, are working; the plans, if any, he has to alleviate this problem; and the future plans, if any, he has for the hospital. [12066/97]

Minister for Health (Mr. Noonan,

Limerick East): The hospital authorities at Naas General Hospital have submitted a report to me in recent days outlining a number of problems which have arisen at the hospital as a result of an increase in activity over the past three years. In an effort to reduce inconvenience to patients the hospital has undertaken a number of initiatives as follows: provision of a new day ward to free up inpatient beds previously used for day case procedures; provision of a fully equipped observation room in the Accident and Emergency Department to accommodate six patients. This facility is currently being extended to provide for up to 13 patients; appointment of a bed manager to ensure the most efficient use of in-patient beds; and assignment of extra medical and nursing staff to the A & E Department.

In addition the recent opening of the new day hospital for the elderly is expected to facilitate earlier discharge and day treatment for patients who would otherwise have to be admitted.

In 1996, as you may be aware, I announced approval for phase 2 of a major development at Naas General Hospital at a cost of £19 million over the next three years. Phase 1 of the development included a Psychiatric Unit and ancillary facilities and was completed in 1991 at a cost of £3.3 million. Phase 2 addresses all the major problem areas in the hospital and provides for the development of many of the existing departments together with a new A & E department, out-patients department, radiology department, theatre, day ward and pharmacy. The detailed design and tendering stage will proceed as soon as the planning brief for the project is approved.

The improvement of patient facilities at Naas Hospital together with the construction of the new hospital at Tallaght will serve to ensure the delivery of an efficient and high quality health care service for patients in this catchment area.