Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 November 2016
543. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if his Department has conducted an impact assessment of the decision to remove accident and emergency provision in Nenagh hospital; if his Department plans to review this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34809/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are no plans to reopen the Emergency Department (ED) at Nenagh Hospital.
The Smaller Hospitals Framework, published in 2013, defines the role of Ireland’s smaller hospitals. It outlines the need for smaller hospitals and larger hospitals to work together within hospital groups; the reorganisation of hospitals into more efficient and accountable hospital groups will ensure that all hospitals play a vital role in service delivery. The Deputy can be assured that I am strongly committed to developing the role of smaller hospitals so that they play a key role in the provision of services to local communities.
Nenagh Hospital is a constituent hospital in the University of Limerick Hospitals Group. In that context, the Nenagh Local Injury Unit provides care to patients with minor injuries and plays a significant role to divert patients from the ED in University Hospital Limerick (UHL). The Deputy will be aware that a new larger ED is under development at UHL. I can confirm that increased funding will be available to the UL Hospitals Group in 2017 to facilitate the opening of this new ED. The detail of the additional funding will be set out in the National Service Plan 2017 which will be finalised shortly.
