I propose to take Questions Nos. 246 and 249 together.
On foot of the publication of the Report on the Establishment of Hospital Groups, a Strategic Advisory Group is being put in place to oversee the establishment of Hospital Groups and the reorganisation of acute hospital services. Each hospital group will work as a single cohesive entity managed as one, maximising the amount of care delivered locally, whilst ensuring complex care is safely provided in larger hospitals.
As was committed to at the time of the Report’s publication, Waterford will continue to operate as a cancer centre under the National Cancer Control Programme; it will be the hub for the South-East renal service, and a regional trauma centre including ED, Ear Nose and Throat and Ophthalmology. It will also continue to provide invasive cardiology services for the South-East population. I understand that the HSE is currently examining options within the existing hospital for the location of the second Cath Laboratory.
In addition, an undertaking was given that my Department and the HSE would work with University College Cork to enable Waterford hospital to become a University Teaching Hospital and this work is ongoing.
Within one year of their formation, Hospital Groups will be required to submit a strategic plan outlining plans for future services within the group area and the role of each hospital in the group. These strategic plans will afford an opportunity for all hospitals in the group to work together to address the opportunities and challenges of service reorganisation.
