Vol. 517 No. 1
145 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Health and Children the number and location of operating theatres in hospitals which have been constructed but not yet commissioned for patient use; and when it is anticipated they will be so commissioned. [9223/00]
I understand that there are four newly constructed and equipped operating theatres which have not yet been commissioned in the Adelaide and Meath Hospital, Dublin, incorporating the National Children's Hospital. I also understand that there are two such theatres in Limerick Regional Hospital and one such theatre in the South Infirmary-Victoria Hospital, Cork.
When new units are completed under major developments such as have taken place in these hospitals recently, they are normally commissioned on a phased basis. This can be for operational reasons, including delays in recruiting appropriately qualified staff. In relation to the theatres identified above, resources have been made available to the agencies involved to enable a programme of planned commissioning in the current year.
This includes £2.718 million which was provided this year to the Adelaide and Meath Hospital, Dublin, incorporating the National Children's Hospital to meet the commissioning costs arising from service developments in a number of areas at the hospital. I understand the hospital plans to open one additional theatre this year. A sum of £4.15 million was also provided this year to the Mid-Western Health Board in respect of the commissioning of new units, including the theatres, which were completed under phases I and II of the redevelopment of Limerick Regional Hospital. I understand from the South Infirmary-Victoria Hospital that it anticipates the theatre which is currently not commissioned will be ready for patient use in June 2000.
