Written Answers. - Hospitals Building Programme.
Charles Flanagan
Ceist:
217
Mr. Flanagan
asked the
Minister for Health and Children
the position regarding the south Tipperary health plan with reference to phase 2 of the development at St. Joseph's Hospital, Clonmel; the planned improvements at Our Lady's Hospital, Cashel; and the proposals for the hospital at Tipperary town.
[18511/01]
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that my Department recently gave approval to the South Eastern Health Board for the establishment of the project team to prepare a planning brief for phase 2 of the development at St. Joseph's Hospital, Clonmel.
At present a tender report for phase 1 of the works at Our Lady's Hospital, Cashel, is being examined by officials from my Department. Phase 1 includes a new 20 bed unit for elderly infirm patients, a 25 place day care centre and 12 independent living units and respite care places for the physically disabled. Phase 2 developments will include refurbishment of the existing hospital and a new extension to the main building.
Work on the development of a ten bed community nursing unit at Cluain Arainn Welfare Home in Tipperary town has commenced and the SEHB hope to have this project completed within two months.
Gay Mitchell
Ceist:
218
Mr. G. Mitchell
asked the
Minister for Health and Children
if he will make a statement on the delays in phase 2 of redevelopment of Naas hospital; and if he is satisfied with the working conditions of the staff who are considering taking industrial action in protest at their working conditions.
[18512/01]
Billy Timmins
Ceist:
236
Mr. Timmins
asked the
Minister for Health and Children
if he will double the proposed number of in-patient beds in the new hospital in Naas to cope with the population explosion which is putting the hospital under pressure; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[18627/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 218 and 236 together.
Services for eligible patients at Naas General Hospital are provided under an arrangement with the Eastern Regional Health Authority.
Naas has a 95 bed acute general hospital which also has 13 observation beds attached to its acci dent and emergency department. I am pleased to inform the Deputies that capital funding of £45 million is being provided under the national development plan to meet the cost of phase 2 of the major re-development of the hospital.
On completion of phase 2, the hospital bed complement will increase to 189 beds, including 25 day beds and 30 beds in the acute psychiatric unit provided under phase 1.
Phase 2 of the development programme is under way, although I am advised by the authority that the development works are approximately 19 weeks behind schedule. This delay has arisen due to inclement weather over the winter period, staff resourcing difficulties and site staff industrial action. Every effort is being made to bring the project back on schedule. Substantial high quality interim temporary accommodation has been put in place, following consultation with staff, to facilitate the development works.
I am aware that staff at the hospital recently engaged in an unofficial protest to highlight overcrowding conditions at Naas General Hospital. I am confident that hospital management and staff will continue to work together to respond to any difficulties presenting and ensure that a high quality service continues to be provided to patients in the best working conditions possible, pending the completion of the major development works which I have outlined.
As the Deputies will be aware, I initiated a national review of bed capacity in both the acute and non-acute sectors on foot of the commitment by Government in the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness. The review is primarily focused on the emerging need to increase bed capacity and to have a strategic framework in place in terms of the number of additional beds required in the short, medium and longer terms.
The question of providing additional funding to the ERHA, including Naas General Hospital, will be considered in the context of funding available and other competing demands.
