Vol. 515 No. 3
193 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has satisfied himself with the conditions which patients attending James Connolly Memorial Hospital endure while waiting to be attended to by medical staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5895/00]
The Deputy will be aware that James Connolly Memorial Hospital was originally a facility for the treatment and care of persons suffering from tuberculosis. It was subsequently redesignated as an acute general hospital and has been developed and expanded to provide a range of acute medical and surgical services. In this regard, upgrading works have taken place over the past number of years and these have included the following: upgrading and expansion of radiology services including provision of CT facilities, upgrading of theatre development, upgrading of medical and surgical block, upgrading of theatres and upgrading of out-patients department.
I am aware that these measures have not fully met the growing needs of the hospital and that some difficulties with service provision have been experienced at peak periods in certain areas.
In recognition of the need to address these difficulties, a major capital development costing in excess of £60 million is under way at the hospital. This proposed development will replace the older buildings on the site spread over a large area, with a modern facility utilising a combination of new buildings integrated with substantially upgraded existing structures. When complete, the development will lead to improved patient facilities and enhanced services in the following areas: accident and emergency services, intensive care, coronary care, medical and surgical day care, out-patients, theatre service and psychiatric service.
Enabling works have already commenced on the development in anticipation of the tendering process being completed in the coming weeks.
This major development at the hospital reflects the emphasis on the provision of a modern acute hospital to meet the needs of its catchment area and in the meantime I assure the Deputy that, pending the completion of the project, facilities will be maintained to the optimum standard in terms of patient comfort.
