Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 June 2020
415. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if information will be provided regarding the ownership of the national maternity hospital when it moves to the grounds of St. Vincent’s hospital; and the person or body that will control the running of the hospital. [11770/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraA legal framework is currently being developed to protect the State's investment in the new maternity hospital at Elm Park and to ensure that the hospital remains in State ownership; it is envisaged that the State will provide an Operating Licence to the NMH at Elm Park DAC and the St Vincent's Healthcare Group (SVHG) to facilitate the provision of health services in the new building. The Deputy may wish to note that the legal agreement, when finalised, will be brought to Government for approval.
The governance arrangements for the new NMH will be based on the provisions of the Mulvey Agreement. That Agreement provides for the establishment of a new company - National Maternity Hospital at Elm Park DAC - which will have clinical and operational, as well as financial and budgetary independence in the provision of maternity, gynaecology and neonatal services. The Agreement ensures that a full range of health services will be available at the new hospital without religious, ethnic or other distinction.
In line with the Mulvey Agreement, the Board of the NMH at Elm Park DAC will comprise 9 directors; 4 nominated by SVHG, 4 by NMH, and 1 will be an international expert in obstetrics and gynaecology. Given the level of State investment, I have sought, and received, the agreement of both the NMH and SVHG that the Board of the new NMH DAC will be competency-based and will include a Public Interest representative.
