Mary Upton
Question:342 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding long overdue redevelopment of Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8379/04]
View answerTuesday, 23 March 2004
Questions (343)
Written answers
As the Deputy is aware, the Eastern Regional Health Authority, ERHA, 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.
On foot of an acknowledgement by all parties of the need for an overall development of the facilities at Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin, I approved the establishment of a project team to plan for the future development of the hospital. The team includes representatives from the hospital, the ERHA, and the Department of Health and Children.
Many of the buildings within the hospital are approximately 50 years old, and have not been upgraded in any significant way over that period. As a result, they do not now generally meet contemporary standards for paediatric hospital facilities. The first stage of the planning process, the brief for an outline development control plan that will set the context for future capital developments on the site, has been finalised and a design team to prepare the plan has been selected. The ODCP is due for completion by the end of September 2004.
It is intended that a phased approach to new development and the upgrade of facilities will be taken. The plans will allow for the prioritisation of developments according to the service needs of the hospital and the ERHA. A phased approach will ensure that services continue to be provided at the hospital during the redevelopment.
A number of additional major developments, funded by the Exchequer, are currently being put in place at the hospital. These include a €30 million investment in the new operating department which will provide two additional theatres, increasing the capacity of the hospital to five major theatres and two minor theatres. Included in this development are new recovery beds, a day surgery unit and a modern central sterile supplies department. This development will increase the capacity of the hospital to meet the additional surgery demands at both inpatient and outpatient level.
In addition, on the basis of the volume and complexity of cases being dealt with at the hospital, I approved the provision of an MRI facility at Crumlin that will significantly enhance the level of diagnostic services provided for children. A design brief has been prepared for this development and a design team to advance the planning and design process on this facility has commenced its work.
Question No. 343 answered with QuestionNo. 324.