My objective, and that of the Government, is to ensure the provision of a world-class hospital to serve the children of this country. I am happy to confirm my commitment to the Ambulatory and Urgent Care Centre to be situated at Tallaght which is an essential part of the development. The decision to provide ambulatory and emergency care services at Tallaght is based on recommendations made in the reports of McKinsey and Co (2006) and international health service consultants, RKW (2007). The services planned for the Ambulatory and Urgent Care Centre at Tallaght will meet the majority of paediatric ambulatory care needs, with all in-patient care provided in one hospital that can cater for in-patient requirements up to and including the safe management of the deterioration of a child's condition and internal transfer to critical care if required.
My Department is advised by the National Paediatric Development Board that the services planned for the Ambulatory and Urgent Care Centre at Tallaght are as follows:
1. Emergency Care This unit will have 8 short-stay observation beds for children who do not require admission but require observation in the urgent care centre prior to discharge.
2. Day Care provided through 28 day care beds
3. Out-patients provided through 26 consultation examination rooms.