Skip to main content
Normal View

Healthcare Policy

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 February 2022

Thursday, 10 February 2022

Questions (435)

Barry Cowen

Question:

435. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health if a report (details supplied) is accurate stating that the University of Limerick Hospital group is in discussions with a controversial US for-profit hospital operator for a new jointly run facility; his views on whether the policy of co-located and co-owned public and private hospitals has returned; the implications of same for the Sláintecare policy which envisaged only new State-owned elective hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7364/22]

View answer

Written answers

As any discussions or arrangements that University of Limerick Hospital Group may be having with external organisations are operational matters for the Group, I am referring the Deputy's question to the Health Service Executive for direct reply, as soon as possible.

In relation to the development of elective services, in December 2021 the Government agreed, subject to the necessary approvals and requirements under the Public Spending Code being met, a new National Elective Ambulatory Care Strategy. This new strategy aims to change the way in which day case, scheduled procedures, surgeries, scans and outpatient services can be better arranged to ensure greater capacity in the future and help to address waiting lists. The development of additional capacity will be provided through dedicated, standalone Elective Hospitals in Cork, Galway and Dublin.

The elective care scope of service will be developed in two phases commencing with day cases, diagnostics, and outpatients and then by in-patient treatment. On this basis, the Elective Care Centres (ECCs) will be designed to provide sufficient capacity to facilitate future phases, including some elective in patient capacity, thereby providing a sustainable and strategic response to cater for the highly dynamic landscape of healthcare policy and practice.

Individual Preliminary Business Cases for each location are at an advanced stage of development, and will be subject to technical review by the Department of Health and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. Pending favourable review(s) under the Public Spending Code, further memoranda for Government would then be brought forward to progress proposals for Cork, Galway and Dublin.

Top
Share