New hospital groups secures future of Navan hospital – English

Fine Gael Meath West TD, Damien English, has today (Tuesday) said that the publication of the Higgins’ Report on the Establishment of Hospital Groups and the Small Hospital Framework, will lead to the biggest reorganisation of hospitals here in the history of the State.

Deputy English added that the report clearly secures the future of Our Lady’s Hospital in Navan, which will be part of the Dublin East Group. This group includes the Mater Hospital, St Vincent’s Hospital, the National Maternity Hospital, Cappagh National Orthopaedic Hospital, the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital.

“The inclusion of Navan Hospital in the new Dublin East Group will facilitate the transfer of appropriate services from the larger hospitals to Navan and allow it to expand. By working together as part of a group, hospitals will be able to better serve their populations. Complex services will be concentrated at certain hospitals so we can ensure our clinicians treat a high number of patients, so their skills are kept at the highest possible level.  

“The reorganisation of our hospitals is a key part of the Government’s reform plan, Future Health, to completely change the health system. Under Future Health the HSE will be abolished in 2015 and a new system of Universal Health Insurance (UHI), where everyone has health insurance, will be introduced in 2016. The introduction of GP care without fees by 2015 will be a crucial part of UHI.  

“Significant progress has already been made in reforming our hospitals as part of Future Health. This is evidenced in the fact that the number of people on trolleys has fallen by 62% in Navan since the Government came into office, despite significant budget cuts and large increases in demand. By the end of 2012 waiting lists over nine months for inpatients had been eliminated in Our Lady’s Hospital. And by the end of this year no one should be waiting for treatment for more than eight months.

“I am confident that more patients will be treated in Navan as a result of these changes. The hospital will do more work in a number of areas including day surgery, diagnostics, rehabilitation and chronic disease management. Navan’s Medical Assessment Unit will be maintained while a new Emergency Department is being constructed. Endoscopy services will be enhanced, elective endoscopy and day surgery services will be further developed and out-patient services will be expanded.

“This Government is committed to the future of Navan Hospital. The creation of the new Dublin East Group will help ensure that Navan Hospital has the support it needs to treat more people in the future to the highest possible standards.”

ENDS