Vol. 531 No. 2
109 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Health and Children the position in relation to planning by the Midland Health Board for St. Vincent's Hospital, Athlone, County Westmeath; and if it is intended to provide a modern casualty-accident and emergency department at this hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5368/01]
110 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Health and Children the work which has been carried out to date by the project team appointed to undertake an option appraisal for a health infrastructure in Athlone, County Westmeath; the timescale involved in relation to the project brief; and if the said brief will include plans for a new casualty department at the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5369/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 109 and 110 together.
In July last year my Department conveyed approval to the Midland Health Board for the establishment of a project team to undertake an option appraisal for a health service infrastructure in Athlone. The board has informed me that work on preparation of brief and option appraisal studies is progressing satisfactorily. All aspects of the health infrastructure are being considered and the project team hopes to complete its work by April 2001. It is only at that stage that the brief will specify the elements of the health infrastructure.
In the circumstances, therefore, I cannot say at this stage whether a new casualty unit will be included.
I should mention that there is a GP out-of-hours unit based in Athlone District Hospital. Future developments of this service will be considered in the context of the board's overall strategy for the provision of primary care out-of-hours service.
