There are ten minutes left. The Deputy has six minutes and the Minister four minutes.
Adjournment Debate. - Proposed Closure of Baggot Street Hospital.
It is very appropriate that I should have so little time to speak on this matter because I suspect I have as much time to make my case as Baggot Street Hospital has to survive unless the Minister for Health gives a clear and unequivocal reply to the questions that have been raised in this House.
In recognition of the fact that this House is aware of the case, on the understanding that the Minister has been put on notice as to the precise nature of the questions I wish to raise and, having regard to the desire of the House and my constituents' demand, that we get an immediate, substantial and informed reply, I would like formally to raise this matter and to ask the Minister to respond.
Hear, hear.
I have already clarified the position of Baggot Street Hospital earlier today in reply to a question from Deputy Gerard Brady. The general hospital development plan for south Dublin provides for the development of three major acute hospitals, St Vincent's, St. James's and Tallaght Hospitals. The State is investing considerable resources in this development programme. A major capital development is currently being carried out in St. James's Hospital which is intended to cater for a population of approximately 200,000 people from the south central areas of Dublin city and county along with part of County Kildare.
In the case of Baggot Street Hospital it was always envisaged that the acute services, particularly those higher specialties such as cardiology, thoracic surgery and respiratory medicine presently located there, would transfer to St. James's Hospital.
For a number of reasons, not least of which is the need to concentrate essential activities in a smaller number of locations and eliminate avoidable management and maintenance overheads, it is now necessary and appropriate to advance this programme. While this advancement has created difficulties for all concerned in the short term, it is the best option available in creating a rational, cost-effective arrangement of services. It will enable all key services to be brought together under a unified management.
This transfer is scheduled for completion on 31 December 1987 and with the co-operation of all parties it will be possible to effect it with minimal disruption of service and without imposing hardship on staff.
As Deputies will be aware, the Government have now taken decisions in relation to the terms which will apply to health services staff in relation to such matters as redundancy, early retirement and redeployment. It is the Government's wish that any essential reductions in staffing required by the health agencies should be made on a voluntary basis. Redeployment is being used to the maximum to preserve employment. The terms decided are aimed to allay the fears of staff who are understandably concerned about the implications for them of the rationalisation of the health services. The terms are generous, particularly having regard to the very difficult financial situation facing the Government. This clearly indicates the Government's concern that the staff of the health services who have served the community well, and will continue to do so, should be treated fairly and that the management of the process of rationalisation should be as orderly as possible.
When I came to office and recognised that there was a decision to close Baggot Street Hospital on the transfer of services to St. James's I decided that it was necessary in the interests of the people in the area that Baggot Street should remain open. Since the board of Baggot Street Hospital agreed to facilitate the transfer of services to St. James's, officials of my Department have been meeting regularly with all concerned to ensure a quick and smooth transfer of services. Discussions are on-going between the hospital board, the Eastern Health Board and St. James's Hospital with a view to ensuring that the optimum use is made of the resources which will become available after the transfer of acute services in the hospital. The board of Baggot Street Hospital have agreed in principle that the following services would be provided at the hospital: accommodation for long stay patients; a community health centre and a minor casualty service staffed by local general practitioners.
It is intended that these services would be fully integrated with all other health and welfare services provided in the area.
The proposal that the hospital board have made to me about continuing as a community hospital is the subject of detailed examination in my Department and we will be responding to this suggestion as soon as this examination is complete.
I would like to take this opportunity to put on record the co-operation which my Department have received from the board and management of the hospital, the medical consultants and the many categories of staff involved in planning and carrying out what has been a very difficult exercise under considerable constraints. I have no doubt that the services now provided at Baggot Street Hospital will continue to be held in very high regard in its new location.
Will the Minister indicate to the House that the board will have sufficient money to maintain the services he has now described after the transfer to St. James's has been completed and that the hospital, in some medical shape or form, will continue through to next April, as he indicated in a previous letter?
The Eastern Health Board will accept responsibility to ensure that sufficient finance will be available to continue a service in Baggot Street Hospital in its new role.
The Dáil adjourned at 9 p.m. until 10.30 a.m. on Thursday, 29 October 1987.