Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 February 2012
38 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health in view of his repeated commitment to enhance the role of smaller hospitals, and in view of the Health Service Executive National Service Plan 2012, the services that will be provided at Monaghan General Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8344/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government intends to publish a framework for the development of smaller hospitals, which will set out the way these hospitals provide services to patients and how they work within their regional hospital networks. The framework and its implementation is a priority of the Government.
In developing the framework, the Government is clear that: there is an important future role for smaller hospitals, in which they will provide services for more patients, not fewer; no acute hospital will close; and safety issues in all acute hospitals, large or small, must be fully addressed, by providing the right type of services in the right settings.
This framework will demonstrate clearly that the future of smaller hospitals is secure. It will set out what services can and should be delivered safely by these hospitals in the interest of better outcomes for patients. I expect to be in a position to publish the framework shortly. Monaghan Hospital is an integral part of the Cavan and Monaghan Hospital Group and continues to play an important role in the delivery of clinical services in the Cavan Monaghan area and to other parts of the North East Region. The current level of activity will be maintained at Monaghan Hospital as part of the 2012 Service Plan. In addition, an increase in day services activity is also planned for 2012.
