Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 8 May 2003

Vol. 566 No. 2

Adjournment Debate. - Hospitals Building Programme.

Ms Burton:

I want to put a number of questions to the Minister in relation to James Connolly Memorial Hospital, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15. What is the definitive date for the opening of the new hospital wing, on which almost €100 million in public funds has been spent to date? This project was bequeathed to the Government parties, which have been in office for the past six years, by the rainbow Government, when substantial parcels of land were sold for £36 million and this figure was matched, pound for pound, by the Department of Education and Science. A beautiful new building has been complete for a number of months. However, it has remained shut while staff work and patients live in the former sanatorium on the hospital campus.

My constituency colleague, the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Brian Lenihan, has announced at four or five functions in the constituency of Dublin West that he has secured an extra €5 million for refur bishment of part of the old surgical block. This amount was first promised by the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Martin, during a visit to the hospital some time ago. This is old money, which, like Fianna Fáil's election promises, has been continually recycled and promised and it has apparently finally been issued. The money will have no impact on the opening of the new wing.

The Northern Area Health Board announced yesterday that the 20-bed unit 8 west is to close as of this evening. Where will the ten patients who are currently in the unit go? The hospital staff do not know. Yesterday the hospital also announced the closure of the rheumatology department. When I visited the beautiful new building, there were brass plates on the wall outside the rheumatology department. It has been closed before it could even open. This is the way forward for our modern health service. A dedicated day service was available, particularly to many young people who suffer from acute rheumatic conditions, but now they must take up acute hospital services, which means they will have to go on a waiting list and become acute patients rather than be cared for on a daily basis and maintain their ordinary working and family lives. Such bad management and poor political accountability will cost much more in the long-term than it will save in the short-term.

As is the case throughout the health system, the wheels have finally come off the trolley in terms of medical services at JCMH. This is a shameful disservice to the wonderful care given by the medical staff at the hospital, which is widely praised and recognised as among the best in Dublin. The staff and patients of the hospital deserve better.

Rarely has as much been promised to so many people as was promised by the Minister for Health and Children during Fianna Fáil's election campaign last year and rarely has so little been delivered, despite the investment of €100 million. The beautiful new hospital wing contains beds that have been made up with the pillows plumped up and waiting to receive people who desperately need improved services. However, the Government is unable to deliver on the solemn election promises that the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Brian Lenihan, made to the people of Dublin 15 last year.

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Mr. Callely):

The Deputy referred to the election campaign in a number of her questions. Labour may be a little sore about the result. Fianna Fáil won the campaign and Labour lost.

Ms Burton:

Fianna Fáil's lies won it.

Mr. Callely:

We did not lie.

Ms Burton:

Fianna Fáil's lies, particularly on health issues—

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle:

I point out to the Deputy that the word "lies" is unparliamentary and should not be used.

Ms Burton:

I refer to the inaccuracies in respect of the non-delivery of Fianna Fáil's election promises.

Mr. Callely:

Her party has made changes since then and perhaps it will have better luck in the next campaign.

As the Deputy will be aware, the Eastern Regional Health Authority is charged with responsibility for commissioning health and personal social services on behalf of the population of the region and also on behalf of those outside the region who are referred for specialist treatment.

It has been acknowledged on a number of occasions, both by the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Martin, and me, that this is a year of great pressure on the health services and that the health sector will have to manage activity during 2003 to ensure that spending is contained within the approved level. Given the significant level of additional investment in services up to and including 2002 – and the fact that activity exceeded the planned activity level in 2002 – the structuring of overall service plans by health agencies for 2003 must involve some containment of activity in order to manage within budget. Under the Health (Amendment) (No. 3) Act 1996, health agencies are required to deliver a level of services consistent with their approved budgets. That legislation was introduced by the Deputy's party.

With regard to specific services, the ERHA has identified cancer services, cardiovascular services and renal services as high priority specialties to be protected.

Ms Burton:

But not rheumatology services.

Mr. Callely:

The Northern Area Health Board, NAHB, has a legal obligation to deliver services within the financial allocated resources available. James Connolly Memorial Hospital, Blanchardstown, is an integral part of the NAHB and services must be managed within the level of allocation made available which is €57.6 million for 2003, a substantial increase on the last time the Deputy's party was in Government.

During extensive consultations between the hospital executive and the health board management, a range of options was explored that would enable the hospital to manage within its allocation.

Ms Burton:

Close two units.

Mr. Callely:

In line with the options considered by the executive and health board management, it was deemed necessary to proceed with phased ward closures, which have been identified at unit 8 west, a 20-bed medical ward, and unit 2, a 12-bed rheumatology ward.

Ms Burton:

That was not in Fianna Fáil's election promises.

Mr. Callely:

The 30 staff employed in the two units will be redeployed throughout the hospital to replace agency nursing and nursing overtime.

While it is recognised that these measures will affect service delivery, every effort will be made to ensure that the quality of care delivered to patients and clients is maintained. The monitoring of the service plan and activity levels in general will be discussed with the Department at the service plan review meeting next week. Temporary staff will continue to be employed on short-term rolling contracts, which will be reviewed on an ongoing basis in line with service demands and budgetary requirements.

Construction of the new hospital building at James Connolly Memorial Hospital is nearing completion.

Ms Burton:

It is finished.

Mr. Callely:

It is not, it is almost complete. I was involved in that process, as chairman of the regional health authority.

Ms Burton:

Why does the Minister of State not visit to the hospital?

Mr. Callely:

This major development is being funded jointly by the NAHB and the Department. The Department has met its funding commitment to the project through the provision of approximately €46 million to date. In addition, the Department, following the work of my good friend and ministerial colleague, Deputy Brian Lenihan, approved an additional €5 million capital funding to facilitate refurbishment works at James Connolly Memorial Hospital, which are necessary as part of the transition process to the new hospital and to facilitate a land transfer in line with the project development arrangements.

Ms Burton:

That money was promised by the Minister for Health and Children two years ago.

Mr. Callely:

Phase 1A of the development, which is due for completion shortly, includes an accident and emergency department, an operating department and a surgical day unit as well as in-patient and associated accommodation and medical support services. The new hospital will provide 12 new five-day beds and 34 additional acute psychiatric beds. The refurbishment of the existing surgical block is being progressed.

Deputy Burton asked about a definitive opening date, but I presume she is familiar with the procedures involved in hospital development. The next stage of the project will involve commissioning and equipping of the new building.

Ms Burton:

But there is no date.

Mr. Callely:

Discussions are also continuing with staff in respect of the transfer to the new hospital. As with any changes in service delivery, the NAHB is working in partnership with staff and staff associations in relation to all aspects of the move to the new hospital.

Ms Burton:

What will be the opening date?

Mr. Callely:

I will be happy to ensure that the Deputy is invited to the opening.