Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 10 Apr 2001

Vol. 534 No. 3

Written Answers. - Hospitals Building Programme.

Willie Penrose

Question:

191 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Health and Children the level of progress made to date in relation to the completion of phase 2B of Longford Westmeath General Hospital, Mullingar; if he will give a commitment on the inclusion of the intensive care unit, CCU, rehabilitation unit, child and adolescent psychiatry occupational therapy department and day services in the phase 2B development; the progress which has been made since the reply given in the course of an Adjournment debate on 22 February, 2001; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10736/01]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

As the Deputy will be aware, the then Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Cowen, approved the establishment of a project team in May, 1999 to commence the planning of phase 2B development at Longford Westmeath General Hospital. In keeping with normal practice in major capital developments of this kind, the project team was asked to prepare a written design brief for the development of phase 2B to include the following departments: pathology; theatres; general medicine; general surgery; day surgery; administration services; isolation facilities; staff changing rooms; staff rest rooms; acute psychiatric unit.

The brief was received in the Department on 16 November, 2000. In a letter from the chief executive officer of the Midland Health Board, which accompanied the brief, he indicated that the project team was anxious that intensive care and coronary care be included in phase 2B and that the budget allocated for this purpose should enable these departments to proceed. The chief executive officer also expressed the view of the project team that, in the event of additional national development plan funding or other capital funding being made available, the outstanding departments not already included in phase 2B should proceed as part of the phase 2B contract. These include: rehabilitation unit; child and adolescent psychiatry; occupational therapy; catering department; day services (other than surgical); ICU/CCU.

A further letter of 10 January, 2001 from the secretary of the Midland Health Board to my Department indicated that board members had unanimously adopted a motion calling on me to give a firm commitment on the inclusion of the ICU, CCU, rehabilitation unit, child and adolescent psychiatry, occupational therapy department, catering department and day services in phase 2B of the Longford Westmeath development.

During the course of the Adjournment debate on 22 February this year my colleague, Deputy Hanafin, Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, indicated that the additional accommodation is a substantial additional cost on the phase 2B proposal for which the project team was appointed.