Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 December 2014
332. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the development plan for a hospital (details supplied) in County Kilkenny covering the next five years; the changes being planned in the level and range of services being provided by the hospital; his plans to add new services to what are already available at the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47069/14]
View answerThe Reports ‘The Establishment of Hospital Groups as a transition to Independent Hospital Trusts’ (DoH, 2013) and ‘Securing the Future of Smaller Hospitals: A Framework for Development’ (HSE, 2013), provide the foundations for the reconfiguration of hospital services into Hospital Groups, each with its own governance and management, that will deliver high quality, safe patient care in a cost effective manner. Within Hospital Groups, all hospitals, irrespective of size, will work together in an integrated way. Smaller hospitals will have an increased focus on managing routine or planned care, while more complex care will be managed in the larger hub hospitals.
As set out in the HSE 2015 Service Plan, Hospital Groups will develop strategic plans by the end of 2015 setting out how the Groups will provide high quality, safe, integrated patient care in a cost efficient manner. As Lourdes Orthopaedic Hospital, Kilcreene is part of the South/South West Hospitals Group, the plans for Kilcreene will form part of that Hospital Group strategic plan.
I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to the detailed information requested. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.
