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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 23 Apr 1998

Vol. 490 No. 1

Written Answers - Hospital Development.

Emmet Stagg

Ceist:

64 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Health and Children the improvements to be carried out to James Connolly Memorial Hospital, Dublin 15, under the phase one development of the hospital; the improvements expected in each area of health care; the number of additional beds to be provided under each health area; the projected timetable for implementation and construction of the project; the further plans, if any, there are to develop the facilities at this hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9695/98]

The capital development programme for James Connolly Memorial Hospital provides for the inclusion of new acute wards and the refurbishment of existing wards, new intensive care and coronary care units, a new accident and emergency department, a new out-patients department and a new department of physical medicine. The design team is currently involved in drafting a development control plan for the hospital, while the hospital project team is finalising detailed planning briefs and schedules of accommodation for the individual hospital departments.

The timescale for the implementation of the project cannot be finalised until the sale of surplus land at the hospital is completed. The closing date for receipt of tenders in respect of the sale of these lands is 29 May 1998. However, at this stage it is envisaged that the first phase of the hospital development will be completed in the autumn of 2002 and that this will include new acute ward accommodation, intensive and coronary care units and a new accident and emergency department.

It should also be noted that services at the hospital are being developed on an ongoing basis. This year's financial allocation makes provision for the development of endocrinology and speech and language services. Other developments in rheumatology, orthopaedic, radiology and occupational therapy services have been implemented. There has also been significant investment in improving the range and type of medical equipment available at the hospital.

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