Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 May 2017
20. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Health the assurances he can provide that the proposed agreement between the National Maternity Hospital and St. Vincent's Hospital will not restrict the provision of medical procedures in the new facility. [20741/17]
View answer25. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Health if he will report on his discussions with a group (details supplied) and the National Maternity Hospital regarding the ownership and governance of the National Maternity Hospital following its move to Elm Park, Dublin. [20688/17]
View answer30. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health his views on the governance arrangements for the National Maternity Hospital upon moving to Elm Park, Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20686/17]
View answer55. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if he will reconsider plans to have an organisation (details supplied) as owners of the new maternity hospital at St. Vincent's Hospital and instead ensure that it is fully owned by the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20690/17]
View answer73. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the situation in relation to the proposed maternity hospital in Elm Park and the independence of its clinical governance, in view of the involvement of an organisation (details supplied); the safeguards in place to ensure future State ownership of the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20732/17]
View answer74. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Health if there are other ownership models in which the ownership of the National Maternity Hospital would not accrue to those owning the land at which the hospital is to be located. [20740/17]
View answer89. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Health the steps he will take to guarantee that women will be able to access all services at the National Maternity Hospital following its move to Elm Park, Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20689/17]
View answer105. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which he remains satisfied regarding the proposals for the new maternity hospital co located with St. Vincent's Hospital; if he remains assured regarding the independence of the maternity hospital and the ability of its master and staff to deliver the services as they see fit independently and without restriction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20710/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 20, 25, 30, 55, 73, 74, 89 and 105 together.
Following extensive mediation discussions, agreement was reached late last year between the St. Vincent’s Healthcare Group and the National Maternity Hospital (NMH) on the relocation of the NMH to the Elm Park campus. The terms of the agreement, which has now been published, provides for the establishment of a new company - "The National Maternity Hospital at Elm Park DAC (limited by shares)”.
The new company will have clinical and operational, as well as financial and budgetary independence in the provision of maternity, gynaecology and neonatal services. This independence will be assured by the reserved powers which are set out in the agreement and will be copperfastened by the golden share which will be held by the Minister for Health of the day. These reserved powers can only be amended with the unanimous written approval of the Directors and with the approval of the Minister for Health. The Board of the new NMH will comprise nine directors; four nominated by St. Vincent’s Healthcare Group, four by NMH, including the Master, and one will be an international expert in obstetrics and gynaecology. Two of the NMH Directors will also sit on the St. Vincent’s Board.
The agreement ensures that a full range of health services will be available at the NMH at Elm Park without religious, ethnic or other distinction. In that regard, I welcome the confirmation by the Board of St. Vincent’s Healthcare Group that any medical procedure, which is in accordance with the laws of this State, will be carried out at the new hospital. I should also acknowledge that the St. Vincent’s Healthcare Group is making valuable land available, at no cost to the State, to facilitate the new NMH. In doing so, they have foregone the opportunity to put this land to alternative use.
Now that the planning application for the development has been submitted we must now turn our focus to the legal mechanisms necessary to complete the project. The hospital will be publicly funded, built on lands in the ownership of the St. Vincent’s and operated by the new company. Over the next few weeks I will meet with both hospitals and will consider further the legal mechanisms necessary to absolutely protect the State's considerable investment in the hospital, including the issue of ownership of the new facility. I have indicated that, prior to the HSE entering into any construction contract, I will formally sanction the necessary arrangements to ensure that the facilities are legally secured on an on-going basis for the delivery of publicly funded maternity, gynaecology and neonatal services commitments. I should add that over the years we have made very significant capital investment in voluntary hospitals, and such facilities have always continued to be used for the delivery of publicly funded healthcare as intended.
I intend to report to Government on this project at the end of May. At that stage I expect to have further details on the legal and other arrangements envisaged and will make this information available publicly. This will allow for the necessary clarity well in advance of contractual or other commitments being entered into in respect of this project.
Finally, I would like reaffirm my commitment to this hugely important project. The facilities at Holles St. are no longer fit for purpose. It is also acknowledged that for optimal clinical outcomes, maternity services should be co-located with adult acute services. We need to move on with this project and provide women and infants with modern healthcare facilities. I look forward to working with all stakeholders to deliver this new NMH.
