Vol. 574 No. 5
199 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the extent to which he views the Hanly report affecting current and proposed services at Naas Hospital; if this report is likely to affect the hospital's development plan; if so, the extent to which; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27779/03]
The report of the National Task Force on Medical Staffing deals with the reorganisation of acute hospital services in two regions, the East Coast Area Health Board and the Mid-Western Health Board. A second report will consider the role of acute hospital services in the rest of the country and I anticipate that Naas Hospital will be examined in this context.
200 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the way in which, in the context of the phasing out of the tuberculosis and respiratory facilities at Peamount Hospital, it is expected to deliver adequate cover to the hospital's catchment area; his views on whether it is good practice to relocate such services in other hospitals; the reason it is not possible to continue to accommodate existing services at Peamount Hospital together with the training and rehabilitation facilities proposed; his views on whether current proposals are at variance with recommendations in the Hanly report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27780/03]
Responsibility for the provision of health services at Peamount Hospital rests with the Eastern Regional Health Authority, ERHA.
In July 2000, Comhairle na nOspidéal made a number of recommendations on the future organisation and delivery of respiratory and tuberculosis services. Comhairle recognised the valuable role which Peamount Hospital has played for many years. However, in line with major advances in medical treatment, it recommended that the optimal in-patient care of patients with respiratory diseases, including tuberculosis, is more appropriate to local acute general hospitals, staffed by consultant respiratory physicians and other consultants supported by an array of investigative facilities.
This approach to care and treatment is mirrored in the Report of the Task Force on Medical Staffing, otherwise known as the Hanly report. The report found that there was convincing evidence that best results in care and treatment are achieved when patients are treated by staff working as part of a multi-disciplinary specialist team and that better clinical outcomes are achieved in units which have the required number of specialist staff, high volumes of activity and access to appropriate diagnostic and treatment facilities.
Peamount Hospital was not regarded by Comhairle na nOspidéal as an appropriate location for the treatment of TB patients, especially those requiring ventilation and specialised treatment for other symptoms, heart disease, HIV, etc., who may present with TB.
