Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 July 2006
145 Mr. English asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on whether it is wise to remove emergency services from Our Lady’s Hospital in Navan that is built over a mine that employs some 600 people underground; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26836/06]
View answerI presume that the Deputy is referring to a recommendation contained in a report by consultants who were engaged by the Health Service Executive (HSE) 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. It 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.
146 Mr. English asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of people on dialysis in the north east; the number of people receiving this treatment in hospitals in the north east; the name of the hospital’s providing this treatment; the number of patients receiving this treatment in their homes; the number of patients who leave the north east to go to Dublin for dialysis; the travelling costs involved in providing this treatment in Dublin to patients from the North East; if there are plans to provide for kidney dialysis at Our Lady’s Hospital in Navan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26839/06]
View answerThe Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
147 Mr. English asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of home care packages that have been applied for by people in County Meath; the number of successful applicants that have been provided; the number of applicants that have yet to be processed; the requirements for a person to apply; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26841/06]
View answerThe Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, the Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
