Vol. 483 No. 2
82 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health and Children if the review his Department is undertaking of the recommendation of the cardiac surgery option appraisal group that the new cardiac surgery unit should be located in St. James's Hospital, Dublin 8 has been completed; whether the recommendation of the appraisal group will be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19892/97]
The provision of additional cardiac surgery facilities is a matter of national importance and one which will require significant capital and revenue investment over the next few years. The policy decision to locate a third cardiac surgery unit at St. James's Hospital was based on the recommendations of the cardiac surgery option appraisal group and was announced a matter of days before my appointment as Minister for Health and Children.
On taking office, I undertook to examine the report of the cardiac surgery option appraisal group to satisfy myself in relation to the policy basis for this major service development. The question of the provision of cardiac care services overall is under review at the moment. However, I hope to be in a position to bring my proposals to Government in this regard in the very near future. An announcement will then be made on the location of additional cardiac care services.
