Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 May 2019
40. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the details of the plans for a private clinic as part of the national children’s hospital; if the funding of this clinic is included in the latest budget for the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20881/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra77. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the rationale for the co-location of a private clinic at the national children’s hospital in view of the fact that space at this site is at a premium; the cost of this part of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20882/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 40 and 77 together.
The vast majority of services in the new children’s hospital will be public services. However, as part of the National Contract for Consultants negotiated in 2008, some consultants holding specific contracts are entitled to engage in private outpatient practice outside of their public commitment and this commitment must be conducted on site, that is, in the hospital they are contracted with. As a result, private outpatient clinics may be held on the public hospital campus but these clinics must be held outside contracted hours. The new children's hospital is obliged to provide such facilities for consultants holding such contracts. The proposal is for consultants to pay a fee for use of the rooms and other operational costs.
Within the plan for the hospital, an area has been planned which carries the designation of "private clinic". Within the ‘private clinic’ area the following has been drawn:
- 1 x reception desk area x 7m2
- 1 x feeding room x 4m2
- 1 x wait area x 16m2
- 1 x play area x 8m
- 8 x consult/examination rooms x 16m2
- 1 x WC x 3m2
- 1 x clean utility x 9m2
- 1 x dirty utility x 7m2
Total area: 180m2
This work is planned to proceed at the building commissioning stage in the year before the building opens.
