Written Answers. - Hospital Services.
Ivor Callely
Question:
129
Mr. Callely
asked the
Minister for Health and Children
the refurbishment, improvement and equipment programme which has been approved for Beaumont and the Mater Hospitals; the total capital investment of the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[19148/01]
Responsibility for the funding of services at Beaumont and the Mater Hospitals rests with Eastern Regional Health Authority.
I am pleased to outline for the Deputy the considerable capital investment which this Government is making at Beaumont and the Mater Hospitals. Capital projects approved and at various stages of implementation at both sites are as follows; in March 2000 I announced my approval for major replacement equipment and refurbishment works at Beaumont Hospital. This is the first time that Beaumont Hospital has had such a programme since it opened in 1987. The total amount of investment will be £26.469 million over four years and is being funded by the national development programme.
The funding for major equipment will be in excess of £9 million while over £17 million will be available for extensive refurbishment work. The equipment replacement programme will cover; theatres, diagnostic imaging, laboratory, CSSD, accident and emergency, endoscopy, out-patients', ophthalmology, neurology, general wards, mortuary, medical records and health and safety. These departments were identified by the hospital as requiring priority equipping investment. The refurbishment programme will include: equipment replacement, upgrading of clinics, recladding and reroofing of hospital and major upgrading of the reception area.
Planning is also under way to upgrade the renal dialysis unit at the hospital. The hospital has recently advertised for a design team to advance the project.
Funding in the region of £180 million, October 1999 prices, has been identified in the national development plan for the redevelopment of the Mater campus to include expanded and improved facilities for the existing Mater Hospital and the building of a new children's hospital, replacing the Children's Hospital at Temple Street. The development provides for an additional 80 beds over the existing bed complement.
The design brief has been completed and approved by my Department and the Eastern Regional Health Authority. The main clinical areas to be provided in the development are; accident and emergency department, out-patient day care and ambulatory care facilities, operating theatres, including day surgery, sterile supplies, heart-lung transplant facilities, ITU-HDU pathology, diagnostic imaging, pharmacy, a new children's hospital and physical medicine.
I am sure the Deputy will agree that these extensive projects outlined above will contribute significantly to improved patient care for the population of Dublin's northside.
