Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 21 Oct 2003

Vol. 572 No. 6

Written Answers. - Hospitals Building Programme.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

292 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has received a report from Crumlin hospital on the needs of this hospital for redevelopment; if the Government has accepted the validity of this case; and the present stage of the development by the Eastern Regional Health Authority of a funded development plan to address the needs of this hospital. [24005/03]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

As the Deputy is aware, the Eastern Regional Health Authority, ERHA, is charged with responsibility for commissioning health and personal social services on behalf of the population of the region, and also on behalf of those outside the region who are referred for specialist treatment.

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that, on foot of an acknowledgement by all parties of the need for an overall development of the facilities at Crumlin hospital, I approved the establishment of a project team to plan for the future development of the hospital. The team includes representatives from the hospital, the ERHA, and the Department of Health and Children. Many of the buildings within the hospital are approximately 50 years old, and have not been upgraded in any significant way over that period. As a result, they do not now generally meet contemporary standards for paediatric hospital facilities.

The first stage of the planning process involves writing a brief for the preparation of a development control plan which will set the context for future capital developments on the site. Work on the preparation of the development brief has commenced, and it is expected to be completed by the end of 2003.

It is intended that a phased approach to new development and the upgrade of facilities will be taken. The plans will allow for the prioritisation of developments according to the service needs of the hospital and the ERHA. A phased approach will ensure that services continue to be provided at the hospital during the redevelopment.

A number of additional major developments, funded by the Exchequer, are currently being put in place at the hospital. These include a €30 million investment in the new operating department which will provide two additional theatres, increasing the capacity of the hospital to five major theatres and two minor theatres. Included in this development are new recovery beds, a day surgery unit and a modern central sterile supplies department. This development is expected to increase the capacity of the hospital to meet the additional surgery demands at both in-patient and out-patient level.

In addition, on the basis of the volume and complexity of cases being dealt with at the hospital, I approved the provision of an MRI facility at Crumlin which will significantly enhance the level of diagnostic services provided for children. A brief for the project has now been agreed by the MRI project team endorsed by the ERHA and submitted to my Department for approval. It is hoped to initiate the detailed planning process in the near future.

Officials from my Department and I have met representatives of the New Crumlin Hospital Group on a number of occasions The New Crumlin Hospital Group is composed of parents of children who regularly attend Our Lady's Hospital for treatment. It was this group which commissioned the Pollock report into facilities at the hospital. As already stated, the deficiencies in facilities at the hospital are well known and accepted. I am committed to the redevelopment programme at Crumlin and have given the New Crumlin Hospital Group my assurance in this regard.