Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 January 2010
367 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for Health and Children her support for financial investment in respect of the microbiology laboratory in Waterford Regional Hospital, County Waterford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48564/09]
Amharc ar fhreagraApproximately 77 million laboratory tests are undertaken annually across 44 public hospitals, at a cost of approximately €470 million. This workload comprises urgent and non-urgent tests and a significant proportion of activity originates in primary care. An external review of laboratory services was conducted for the HSE by Teamwork Management Services in 2007. The review highlighted limitations in the current organisation of laboratories, affecting quality, turn around time and cost.
In light of the review, the HSE announced plans in 2009 to modernise laboratory services and to introduce significant efficiencies in the configuration and operation of these services. The HSE has already had significant engagement with stakeholders in progressing this initiative. Groups such as the Faculty of Pathology and the Medical Laboratory Scientists Association will have an ongoing input into the process.
As part of this initiative, the HSE recently commenced discussions with the National Development Finance Agency about the capital financing of a small number of dedicated "cold" laboratories to process the large volumes of routine patient tests currently undertaken in hospital laboratories. This will include a robust analysis of the cold laboratory business model from a value for money perspective.
The specific question in relation to Waterford Regional Hospital is a matter for the HSE and I have referred the Deputy's question to the Executive for direct reply.
