Vol. 534 No. 2
87 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Health and Children the work which has been carried out to date by the project team appointed to undertake an option appraisal for a health infrastructure in Athlone, County Westmeath; the timescale involved in relation to the project brief; if the said brief will include plans for a new casualty department at the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10299/01]
In July last year my Department conveyed approval to the Midland Health Board for the establishment of a project team to undertake an option appraisal for a health service infrastructure in Athlone. The board has informed me that work on preparation of brief and option appraisal studies is progressing satisfactorily. All aspects of the health infrastructure are being considered and the project team plans to make a presentation to the board members from Westmeath this month before the brief is finalised. In the circumstances, I cannot, at this stage, specify the elements of health infrastructure which will be included in the brief.
There is a GP out-of-hours unit based in Athlone District Hospital. Future developments of this service will be considered in the context of the board's overall strategy for the provision of primary care out-of-hours service.
