Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 February 2004
368 Mr. Grealish asked the Minister for Health and Children the date the report from the group who are holding an independent inquiry into clinical issues at the Galway Hospice will be available; the interim arrangements that are to be put in place to provide full hospice services while this inquiry is ongoing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5702/04]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the provision of health services including hospices services in the Galway area is a matter for the Western Health Board in the first instance.
The Galway Hospice Foundation has for the last number of years provided a valuable service to cancer patients and their families in the west. I am aware that there are currently difficulties surrounding the operation of the in-patient unit at the Galway Hospice and that no new patients are being admitted at present. However, home care and day care services are continuing to be provided to approximately 100 patients by the foundation with those patients who require consultant-led specialist in-patient care being admitted to University College Hospital, Galway.
The Western Health Board has informed my Department that an independent expert group was established by the Galway Hospice Foundation to review procedures at the hospice and that it is expected that the report of the expert group will be available in the near future.
