Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 November 2022
761. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when a decision will be made by his Department on the proposal to build new elective hospitals at various locations including the Merlin Park site of Galway University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58127/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn December 2021 the Government agreed, subject to the necessary approvals and requirements under the Public Spending Code being met, a new National Elective Ambulatory Care Strategy. This new strategy aims to change the way in which day case, scheduled procedures, surgeries, scans and outpatient services can be better arranged to ensure greater capacity in the future and help to address waiting lists. The development of additional capacity will be provided through dedicated, standalone Elective Hospitals in Cork, Galway and Dublin.
The locations chosen will allow for new facilities of a size and scale to implement a national elective care programme that will tackle waiting lists on a national basis. This means that the new facilities will be designed to maximise their capacity and in doing so will operate to cover as wide a catchment area as possible, extending beyond existing and future health areas. Locating the new facilities in Cork, Dublin and Galway will enable the provision of a national service while aiming to maximise the coverage of the Elective Hospitals as far as is reasonably possible. The introduction of this new delivery capability into the Public Healthcare System will benefit the whole population, including those who do not fall within the immediate geographical catchment.
Preliminary Project Business Cases have been developed for the new Elective Hospitals in Cork and Galway and have been subject to detailed internal and external assurance. These will be presented to Government shortly for approval-in-principal at Decision Gate 1 of the Public Spending Code. Subject to passing through Gate 1, the projects can then move to Gate 2 (detailed project brief and procurement strategy). The Preliminary Project Business Case for Dublin will follow the same process in due course.
