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Hospital Facilities

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 January 2019

Tuesday, 15 January 2019

Ceisteanna (540)

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

540. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the status of a review of an injury unit (details supplied); the detail of the review; when it will be concluded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54051/18]

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Freagraí scríofa

The establishment of Hospital Groups has enabled a better configuration of hospital services with benefits relating to safety, quality, access, cost and sustainable medical staffing. Hospitals working together in a group can support each other, providing a stronger role for smaller hospitals in delivering less complex care, and ensuring that those who require emergency or complex planned care are managed safely in larger hospitals.

The Smaller Hospitals Framework focuses on the future role of smaller hospitals and outlines the wide range of services that can be provided within these smaller hospitals. Medical Assessment Units, Urgent Care Centres and Minor Injuries Clinics provide a safe and local alternative to EDs and work has begun in my Department on a review of these, as committed to in the Programme for a Partnership Government 2016.

As a Model 2 hospital, in line with the Smaller Hospitals Framework, Monaghan Hospital has a Minor Injuries Unit located on site which provides an important service to the local community. I recently met with the RCSI Hospitals Group, which includes Monaghan Hospital, to discuss how all hospitals within the group can develop and contribute to improvements in both scheduled and unscheduled care for patients.

I am committed to securing and further developing the role of our smaller hospitals with the expansion of services delivered in these hospitals, especially in services such as day surgery; ambulatory care; medical services and diagnostics.

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