Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 6 Jun 1990

Vol. 399 No. 7

Written Answers. - Royal Victoria Hospital.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

146 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health his Department's projections in respect of ear, nose and throat facilities over the next ten years in the greater Dublin area; if these plans incorporate the closure of the Royal Victoria Hospital, Dublin 2; the number of beds available at the Royal Victoria Hospital, Dublin 2 at present; the number and location of proposed replacement beds; and if he will make a statement on the matter, having regard to the requirements of the area.

Minister for Health (Dr. O'Hanlon)

I would like to state that ENT services will be available in all major acute general hospitals which service the Dublin and Eastern Health Board area. It is the Department's policy that specialised services such as ENT should be located on a general hospital campus. In accordance with this policy it is proposed to transfer ENT services currently based at the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital to appropriate general hospitals in the Dublin area. This proposal is consistent with Comhairle na nOspidéal's report on ENT services. Part of the ENT services based at the Royal Victoria Hospital have been relocated to the Midland Health Board area. It is intended to relocate the remaining ENT services to the regional ENT unit which will be based primarily at St. James's Hospital, with a provision for paediatric ENT services at Our Lady's Hospital, Crumlin.

The present number of ENT beds at the Eye and Ear Hospital is 37. Replacement ENT beds will be situated at St. James's Hospital and Our Lady's Hospital, Crumlin. The number of ENT beds provided at these locations will be a matter for discussion with the hospital authorities concerned at the appropriate time. I can assure the Deputy that ENT services are being fully supported until such time as these services are relocated.