Health Minister Once Again Rules Out Elective Hospital In MidWest

The Health Minister has once again ruled out the possibility of building an elective only hospital in the MidWest.

His response came just two days before the publication of the Deloitte report into patient flow in the region’s hospitals.

The findings of Deloitte’s review were made public on Friday, however two days prior to this, the Health Minister had once again ruled out the possibility of building an elective hospital in the region.

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In response to a parliamentary question from Labour TD Alan Kelly, Minister Stephen Donnelly reiterated his previous statement that ‘the Government decision is very clear on this’ and ‘no other locations are under active consideration’.

This is in contradiction to comments from the Taoiseach, who in February told the Dáil that he believes there’s ‘merit’ in the idea of an elective-only hospital in the MidWest and that he believes ‘it’s the way to go’.

It comes as Minister Stephen Donnelly is also warning that this winter will be difficult for hospitals given the perfect storm of flu and Covid.

The number of patients with the virus has increased, with 409 people being treated in acute hospitals.

Stephen Donnelly says government will work with the HSE to make sure funding is in place locally to ensure everything that can be done, will be done.

Meanwhile, Minister Donnelly is currently in talks to secure an increase in the number of hospital consultants employed in the health service.

The Deloitte report recommended an urgent rise in the number of medical consultants working in the ED in Dooradoyle.

Minister Donnelly says he hopes to reach an agreement with the Irish Hospital Consultants Association quickly.