Hospital Services

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 July 2017

Thursday, 13 July 2017

Questions (914)

Bobby Aylward

Question:

914. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 432 of 18 October 2016, 339 of 6 December 2016, and 496 of 21 of February 2017 when the national steering group established by him to develop policy on a major trauma system for Ireland will publish its first report; if the group visited St. Luke's General Hospital to assess its current services; the status of the group's recommendations specifically in respect of St Luke's General Hospital, County Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34659/17]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The primary aim of developing a Trauma Policy will be to improve patient outcomes and lead to a reduction in preventable death and disability. The future trauma system will build on the strengths of pre-hospital care, all of our acute hospitals and post-acute care and will require hospitals to work together to provide an optimal configuration of trauma services.

The Steering Group has engaged with the Department of Health, the HSE and all relevant HSE National Clinical Leads, including Surgery, Pre-Hospital Emergency Care, Critical Care, Orthopaedics and Trauma on the development of the policy. The report of the Trauma Steering Group is now nearing completion and it is anticipated that the final Report will be submitted to me in the coming weeks.