Vol. 516 No. 4
88 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Health and Children the progress with the construction of the promised new accident and emergency department in the Mater Hospital; when it will be open for use; if patients will be separated from drug addicts, drunks and prisoners whose presence is most upsetting; and if this will be taken on board due to the numerous repeated complaints on this matter from users and visitors to the accident and emergency department. [8423/00]
The construction of the new accident and emergency department in the Mater Hospital is part of the Mater-Temple Street redevelopment programme which was announced in November 1999. This project will be carried out in two phases and the design, construction, equipping and commissioning of the project will take place over the life of the National Development Plan 2000-2007. Phase 1 of this development will encompass the following new adult facilities at the Mater Hospital: A&E department, surgical department-intensive care unit, central sterile supplies department, outpatient-day services department and theatres. Facilities for the new national heart-lung transplant programme will also be included in this phase. The second phase of the project will incorporate all the Children's Hospital facilities along with joint service departments such as: catering, pharmacy, pathology and central supplies/maintenance workshop. Planning for the entire site is currently under way and it is envisaged that the new A&E department at the Mater Hospital will open in four to five years.
The briefs for both the Mater Hospital and The Children's Hospital, Temple Street are currently being reviewed and amalgamated by an external Consultant. In the original Mater Hospital brief, provision was made that one of the treatment rooms be used as a secure area for prisoners. A four bedded room was also planned for potentially disruptive patients. It is envisaged that the new development plans will include similar facilities.
