Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 October 2011
594 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the status of the review of Loughlinstown hospital accident and emergency department; the safeguards that will be put in place for the hospital’s acute beds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31438/11]
View answerThere is a joint HSE/Departmental group which is developing a framework for the future development of smaller hospitals with oversight from a steering group comprising of HSE and Departmental officials. No external consultants are being used for this process. Consultation covering all the key stakeholders including patients and public representatives, will be an integral part of the process and plans for the consultations required are currently under development and are expected to be completed shortly. The three hospitals in the region (St. Michael's, St. Columcille's and St. Vincent's) are working together with the HSE to ensure that the appropriate level of service is provided in the best location to ensure clinical safety, quality and patient safety and to manage risk. No downgrading of the emergency department at St. Columcille's hospital has been announced. Work has been ongoing for a number of months and transfer of services from one site to another will not occur until all patient safety issues and clinical issues are fully considered. Any future changes will take place within the context of the Clinical Programmes and the developing Framework for smaller hospitals.
595 Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Health if he will consider the setting up of a rapid access prostate cancer clinic for Sligo General Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31450/11]
View answer596 Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Health if he will supply a specific date or week in the last quarter of this year when he expects mammography services at Sligo General Hospital to be up and running and operational [31452/11]
View answer597 Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Health if he can supply a specific date or week in the last quarter of this year when he expects colonoscopy services at Sligo General Hospital to be up and running and operational [31453/11]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 595 to 597, inclusive, together.
The Deputy's questions relate to service delivery matters and accordingly I have asked the HSE to respond directly to him.
