Jim O'Keeffe
Ceist:86 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will report on arrangements for the future of the accident and emergency services at Bantry Community Hospital. [18397/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 22 June 2004
Ceisteanna (90)
Freagraí scríofa
I presume this question has been prompted by concerns which have been raised about the implications for accident and emergency departments of the Report Of The National Task Force On Medical Staffing, the Hanly report. In fact, the Hanly report does not recommend the closure of accident and emergency departments. Instead, it argues that major hospitals should treat the most serious accident and emergency cases, namely, those requiring multi-specialist care. The great majority of current accident and emergency work would continue to be treated in hospitals such as Bantry.
While the task force report contains specific recommendations regarding the configuration of acute hospital services in the two pilot regions studied, the East Coast Area Health Board and the Mid-Western Health Board, no specific recommendations are made for other regions.
The next phase of work will involve the preparation of a national plan for the reorganisation of acute hospital services by the acute hospitals review group.