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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 9 Oct 2003

Vol. 572 No. 2

Written Answers. - Accident and Emergency Services.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

49 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children his plans for the future of Bantry Hospital, in particular, the surgical unit and the accident and emergency department. [22459/03]

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

56 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Bantry Hospital occupies a unique location with a substantial catchment area, which is remote from other hospital facilities; and his views on the fact that it needs to be preserved and developed in order that the outstanding service rendered from there to the west Cork and south Kerry communities can be continued into the future.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 49 and 56 together.

The provision of services at Bantry Hospital is a matter for the Southern Health Board. The board has been supporting the phased development of services at the hospital over the past number of years. A total of €2.45 million has been invested in improving the physical structure of the hospital and in the upgrading and replacement of equipment. As the Deputy will be aware, a strategic development plan is in place for an extended hospital campus in Bantry.

The forthcoming National Task Force on Medical Staffing (Hanly) report will further inform decisions in relation to the configuration of services in acute hospitals. The task force was asked to make recommendations about how to best organise hospital medical staffing within the hospital system, having regard to the requirement of the European Working Time Directive to reduce the average weekly working hours of non-consultant hospital doctors and the recommendations of the forum on Medical Manpower. The report of the task force on medical staffing is currently before Government for consideration and will be published shortly.

While I understand that the task force will make recommendations regarding the organisation and staffing of acute hospitals, it will not be recommending closure of any hospitals.

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