Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 February 2005
84 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she has seen the working group report on the delivery of services at Peamount Hospital, County Dublin; if she intends to approve, intervene directly or alter the proposals; the details of these proposals; if the issues have been discussed with staff or management; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3205/05]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive has the responsibility to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services.
Services at Peamount Hospital are provided under an arrangement with the executive. My Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's eastern regional area to examine the issues raised and to reply to the Deputy directly.
In my capacity as Minister for Health and Children, I visited Peamount Hospital in mid-December and met members of the board of the hospital, the hospital's consultant respiratory physician and the director of nursing. I was briefed about the development of new services at the hospital.
I was pleased that the hospital was in a position to confirm to me that all of the beds in the former chest hospital are now fully utilised to accommodate patients in need of rehabilitation.
