Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 September 2017
24. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the proposal to provide upgraded and additional facilities in the emergency department at Cavan general hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40899/17]
View answerThe Emergency Department in Cavan has been performing well to date in 2017, having a 68% reduction in trolley numbers at the Hospital in comparison with the same period in 2016.
The RCSI Hospital Group has identified the need for development of the resuscitation area in Cavan Emergency Department. Future investment in Cavan General Hospital will be considered within the overall acute hospital infrastructure programme, the prioritised needs of the hospital groups and within the overall capital envelope available to the health service.
The HSE will continue to apply the available funding for infrastructure development in the most cost effective way possible to meet current and future needs, having regard to the level of commitments and costs to completion already in place.
My Department is working with the HSE and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to conduct a mid-term review of the capital programme.
Hospital Groups, Community Health Organisations and hospitals are all currently in the process of planning for winter Emergency Department demand through developing integrated winter plans to cover the period October 2017 to March 2018. These plans, including the plan for Cavan General Hospital, will be submitted to the HSE for approval in the coming weeks.
