asked the Minister for Health the up-to-date position in relation to his proposals for the voluntary hospitals in Cork.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cork Voluntary Hospitals.
7.
Proposals for the integration of the services of the South Infirmary and Victoria Hospitals were agreed by these two hospitals and have been approved by me. Their implementation on a phased basis has now commenced.
A working group representative of my Department, the Mercy Hospital and the North Infirmary have now finalised their report on the integration of services between the two hospitals and this report is at present being considered.
Discussions will commence in the near future with the Cork Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital and the transfer of that hospital's services and a project team will be established within the next month to plan a new opthalmic outpatients department at Cork Regional Hospital.
Will the Minister assure the people living on the north side of Cork city who have been served for generations by the North Infirmary that the proposals will not lead to a diminution of the services?
I can assure the Deputy that the outstanding work in my Department in the last three years in which I was involved in relation to Cork city and its hospital services will continue. The latest report on developments between the Mercy Hospital and the North Infirmary has just been issued and I have no doubt that its proposals will be to the benefit of all people living in Cork city, particularly those living in the Deputy's constituency.
I acknowledge that the merging of the South Infirmary with the Victoria Hospital does not present any great difficulty in that all that is required is the provision of an entrance in the boundary wall between the two hospitals, but I should like an assurance from the Minister that the proposal to merge or integrate the Mercy Hospital with the North Infirmary, because of the location of those hospitals, is a practical proposition. Will the Minister agree that that proposal is not a practical realisation of the intentions, some of which are pious, and that the physical location of the hospitals may mean that there will be a danger of a diminution of services and facilities provided by the North Infirmary for the people on the north side of the River Lee?
When a person is sick in Cork city the location of the hospital is of secondary importance; it is the health of the person that matters most. Whether people receive attention on one side of the River Lee or the other is irrelevant. I should like to assure the Deputy that the people on the north side of the city will have outstanding services. The work of bringing together the voluntary hospitals and the specialities is almost complete and the people in the areas involved will receive a much better service in future. The report is under consideration but I am not in a position to disclose its details because I must meet the boards and local public representatives before I make a decision.
Will the Minister provide the funds to enable existing services to continue? Is the Minister aware that one of the hospitals in Cork, which is about the size of the hospital in Tralee, is being given less than half the amount of money being given to the Tralee Regional Hospital? How can the Minister expect a hospital to provide services when funds are not being allocated as they should?
I should like to assure the Deputy that there is a difference between the hospital I believe he is referring to and the major general hospital in Tralee which provides ten more specialities.
Since the rationalisation programme introduced by the Minister was yesterday accepted by the board of management of the North Infirmary I should like to know if the Minister will now be making funds available to carry out the necessary work on the keystone of that programme as far as the North Infirmary is concerned, the modernisation of the casualty department?
I have just received the report and it is being considered. I gather it is being considered by the boards of management of the two hospitals. I will be seeking the views of the North Infirmary and the Mercy Hospital in regard to the proposals but I should like to assure the Deputy that any resources required in 1986 to complete the development of the hospital services in Cork city will be made available, particularly on the capital side. I have a substantial capital programme for 1986 and money will be made available unstintingly because this development is essential.
I should like an assurance from the Minister in regard to the accident and emergency services provided by the North Infirmary. Down the years they have proved vital. Will the Minister assure us that the accident and emergency activities will not be hampered in any way? Will the Minister make capital provision for the accident and emergency services without any more doubtful thinking by the Department? I want that important matter clarified by the Minister.
There is a great deal of difference in definition as to what is meant by accident and emergency services in a hospital. The North Infirmary provides a service in regard to casualties and accepts accidents and emergencies of a particular kind. The definition of future accident, emergency and casualty work is contained in the report. I do not propose to go into detail about that at this stage but I must say that the two hospitals will provide substantial cover. I have no doubt that the people of the area will be well served. Deputies will be aware that the Cork Regional Hospital provides the acute accident emergency services for the city as a whole.