Ivor Callely
Question:98 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Defence the progress, if any, in order for St. Bricin's military hospital to accommodate civilian patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7761/00]
Written Answers. - Defence Forces Property.
Ivor Callely
Question:194 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Defence the progress, if any, on the use of St. Bricin's military hospital for civilian patients; the time schedule for implementation of the proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4764/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 98 and 194 together.
Agreement in principle has been reached between my Department, the Department of Health and Children and the Mater Misericordiae Hospital on a proposal to use St. Bricin's Military Hospital as a step down medical facility into which certain categories of civilian patients could be transferred from the Mater Misericordiae Hospital. It was agreed that, initially, a pilot scheme would be set up under which up to eight civilian patients would be accommodated in St. Bricin's for periods ranging from seven to ten days. If this pilot scheme proved successful, the intention would be to enter into a long-term arrangement for accommodating up to 20 civilian patients at a time at St. Bricin's Military Hospital.
The Department of Health and Children has overall responsibility for the health and well-being of civilian patients. Accordingly, before any pilot scheme can commence, it is essential that the Department of Health and Children has fully satisfied itself with regard to all the arrangements surrounding the transfer, accommodation and treatment of civilian patients in St. Bricin's Military Hospital. Proposals made by the Mater Misericordiae Hospital to the Department of Health and Children with regard to the use of St. Bricin's Military Hospital for civilian patients are under examination by that Department's chief medical officer and, while it is accepted that the proposals have merit, a number of important issues still require clarification to ensure that patients are best served at all times. The Department of Health and Children is in communication with the Mater Misericordiae Hospital regarding these issues and, once the Department of Health and Children has received the required clarifica tion, it will be in a position to make a decision on the matter. A number of complex legal and insurance issues will also need to be resolved prior to the commencement of the pilot scheme.
With effect from 1 March 2000, the new Eastern Regional Health Authority is the statutory body with responsibility for health and personal social services for people who live in Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow. The ERHA is currently examining the accident and emergency services in the region with a view to bringing forward recommendations to improve services and address existing deficiencies. The proposals for St. Bricin's Military Hospital will be considered in the context of this review.
When the Department of Health and Children has satisfied itself fully with regard to the proposed arrangements, it will formally approach my Department to request that St. Bricin's Military Hospital provide the facilities described above. In the meantime, I remain committed to the successful implementation of the pilot scheme and the matter will be progressed as quickly as possible. There is, however, no further action which can be taken by my Department on this proposal at present until the Department of Health and Children has satisfied itself fully with regard to the proposed arrangements.