I propose to take Questions Nos. 277 and 278 together.
Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) has responsibility to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services.
The HSE commissioned Teamwork Management Services to undertake a review of acute hospital services in the former North Eastern Health Board area. The review, which commenced in March 2006, has recently been completed and the report has been considered by the Board of the HSE. I have been briefed on the contents of the report by the person referred to by the Deputy.
The report concludes that the present system, where five local hospitals deliver acute care to relatively small populations, is exposing patients to increased risks, that it is not serving the community well and is not sustainable.
The consultants believe that there is an unprecedented opportunity over the next 10 years to develop a very high quality responsive emergency and planned care service, in line with international standards, by developing local services within existing hospitals and other local centres supported by a new Regional Hospital.
The HSE is to establish a North East Steering Group to quickly address the issues that require immediate attention and at the same time develop a longer term strategy to deliver a world class health service during the next 10 years. The Group will have representation from key stakeholders such as clinicians and primary care providers. There will also be a widespread public engagement on the issues highlighted in the report.
I have visited numerous hospitals since my appointment as Minister for Health and Children. It is my intention to continue to visit various facilities, including hospitals in the North Eastern area, as my schedule allows.
