asked the Minister for Health if he has decided to establish a regional hospital in Waterford city; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Waterford City Hospital.
9.
The FitzGerald Report on the reorganisation of the general hospital system recommended that regional hospitals, at which highly specialised services would be provided, should be established only at the medical teaching centres of Dublin, Cork and Galway. For other centres, including Waterford, it was recommended that there should be general hospitals which would provide a wide range of medical, surgical and obstetrical services for the community including the more common specialties. Waterford city already has at Ardkeen a large general hospital providing most of the services envisaged in the FitzGerald Report. I am glad to say that discussions have been proceeding between representatives of the health authority and the County and City Infirmary on the one hand and between the health authority and Airmount Maternity Hospital on the other, to work out ways in which a closer integration of services might be achieved for the future in the hospital organisation within the city. Beyond that there is the wider question of the catchment area which an expanded general hospital service in Waterford should cater for. This is more difficult and necessarily more long term because of the extensive building which would be involved. It is a question to which I expect the new South Eastern Health Board will be giving close consideration when it assumes responsibility for health services in the wider area.
Can the Minister give an indication as to when that decision will be forthcoming on the establishment of the general hospital in the area?
No, I cannot.
Can the Minister give me a guarantee that whatever decision is taken will in no way affect the position of the Wexford General Hospital?
As I have already explained, this whole matter has to be considered. It would be impossible to give any guarantee that a particular programme might not affect the position of another hospital. I have already indicated that the matter will be given very close consideration and that the South Eastern Health Board will be asked to examine the whole problem. As the Deputy knows, there is a great deal of division of opinion all over the country, and in the midland area in particular, as to where the general hospital should be established. It is bound to affect the position of certain hospitals.
Will the Minister accept the recommendation of the regional health board on this matter, or will he reserve to himself the right to decide?
Because it is a question of capital and general national health policy, I will have to reserve to myself the final decision.