Phase 3C of Naas General Hospital Included in HSE Capital Plan - Earliest Commencement 2012
Issued : Monday 6 September, 2010
Areas : Kildare
Following the publication of the Governments revised National Development Plan 2010 to 2016 (Infrastructure Investment Plan), Deputy Emmet Stagg contacted the HSE Estates section to clarify the position in relation to the inclusion of Phase 3C of Naas General Hospital in the revised Plan.
The HSE confirmed to Deputy Stagg that Phase 3C was included in their 6 year Capital Expenditure Programme but with current commitments the earliest the project could be considered for financing was 2012. In addition their yearly Capital Programme was subject to sanctioning by both the Minister for Health and the Minister for Finance.
Phase 3C of Naas General Hospital includes the provision of 2 additional 31 bed wards at the Hospital, Enhanced Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy services and the building of a new catering department to provide facilities for 255 patients and 800 staff. Tenders were invited for the €28 Million project in October 2007 and a Preferred Contractor was recommended but then the Government pulled the plug on the project.
Welcoming the fact that the project has not been simply put on the backburner Deputy Stagg stated that he would continue to pursue the Government and the HSE until the project got the goahead.
14th JULY, 2010 - Stagg Again Raises Phase 3C of Naas General Hospital with Harney
Deputy Emmet Stagg has again raised with the Minister for Health the position in relation to the inclusion of Phase 3C of Naas General Hospital in the HSE Revised Capital Programme 2010 to 2014.
In her most recent response to Deputy Stagg the Minister advised that consideration by the HSE of its Draft Capital Plan 2010 to 2014 was at an advanced stage and when concluded it would be subject to the consent of both herself and the Minister for Finance.
Commenting on the Ministers response Deputy Stagg stated that the review of the Capital Programme for 2010 to 2014 has effectively been ongoing since Budget 2009 but it appeared we were now nearing a conclusion. Whilst we await the outcome of the review we had on average 11 patients on trolleys each day last week in Naas General Hospital, with 18 on trolleys on Monday July 5th.
Phase 3C of Naas General Hospital includes the provision of 2 additional 31 bed wards at the Hospital, Enhanced Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy services and the building of a new catering department to provide facilities for 255 patients and 800 staff. Tenders were invited for the €28 Million project in October 2007 and a Preferred Contractor was recommended but then the Government pulled the plug on the project.
In conclusion Deputy Stagg stated that he would continue to pressurise the Government on this critical issue of importance to the Health and Care of Kildare people.
15th NOVEMBER, 2009 - Stagg Continues to Press Harney on Phase 3C of Naas General Hospital
Deputy Emmet Stagg has continued to question the Minister for Health in relation to the inclusion of Phase 3C of Naas General Hospital in the HSE Revised Capital Programme to 2013.
In her most recent response the Minister advised Deputy Stagg that the HSE Capital Review is ongoing and when completed would be submitted for approval of both herself and the Minister for Finance.
Expressing disappointment at the lax attitude of the Minister for Health Deputy Stagg stated that the Capital Expenditure Review had been ongoing since Budget 2009, and the supplementary Budget last April. Whilst the Minister and the HSE dither we had an average of 17 patients on trolleys each day last week in Naas General Hospital with 23 on trolleys on Friday 13th November.
Phase 3C of Naas General Hospital includes the provision of 2 additional 31 bed wards at the Hospital, Enhanced Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy services and the building of a new catering department to provide facilities for 255 patients and 800 staff. Tenders were invited for the €28 Million project in October 2007 and a Preferred Contractor was recommended but then the Government pulled the plug on the project.
In conclusion Deputy Stagg stated that he would continue to pressurise the Government on this critical issue of importance to the Health and Care of Kildare people.
7th MARCH, 2008 - Harney Response on Phase 3C of Naas General Hospital Useless
Deputy Emmet Stagg and his colleague Jack Wall T.D. raised on the Adjournment Debate in the Dail on Thursday 6th March the decision by the HSE in drawing up their Draft Capital Plan for 2008 to exclude Phase 3C of Naas General Hospital for Capital Funding.
In his address to the Dail Deputy Stagg pointed out that it was Labour when last in Government in 1996 who had sanctioned the Redevelopment of the Hospital and that there had been major improvements at the Hospital since in all aspects of the delivery of health services to the people of Kildare. The final phase of the redevelopment stated Deputy Stagg included the provision of two additional 31 bed wards, additional physiotherapy and occupational services facilities and a catering unit for 255 patients and 800 staff. The project was to commence in 2004, but the Government refused to allow the HSE to seek tenders for the project until 2007. By late 2007 a Tender Report was submitted to the HSE with a recommendation for a preferred contractor. The HSE then decided on 14th February to exclude Phase 3C from their 2008 Draft Capital Plan.
After 4 years of Government promises, including before last years General Election, we now have the project dropped despite the fact that on Monday 3rd March 16 patients were on trolleys in Naas General Hospital, On Tuesday 4th March 31 people were on Trolleys, On Wednesday 5th March 23 people were on Trolleys and on Thursday 6th March 21 people were on Trolley`s. Nobody deserves to be treated in such an undignified manner declared Deputy Stagg. The provision of additional hospital beds under Phase 3C would eliminate the practice and he called on the Minister to change the Draft Capital Plan for 2008 and include the final phase of the redevelopment of Naas General Hospital.
Minister of State Jimmy Devins responded on behalf of the Minister for Health and effectively stated that neither he nor Mary Harney had any say in the matter because it was up to the HSE to prioritise projects based on the HSE`s commitments and priorities.
Reacting to the Minister of State`s response Deputy Stagg stated that the comments were a disgrace and an abdication of responsibility. What in the name of hell are these Minister`s doing in Government if they fail to take seriously their responsibilities to deliver a proper Health Service for the people of Co. Kildare. Instead they want to leave all the blame to the HSE, an unelected and unaccountable body as has been seen in recent days over the disclosure of the Cancer Crisis in Portlaoise.
Deputy Stagg stated that both he and his colleague Jack Wall T.D. would continue their campaign to have Phase 3C included in the Capital Plan for 2008 and would use every means possible to overcome this Government`s ineptitude in the matter.
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DAIL TRANSCRIPT OF DEBATE BELOW
^ Adjournment Debate. ^
6th March, 2008
^^ Hospitals Building Programme. ^^
Deputy Emmet Stagg: I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for selecting this item and the Minister of State for coming to the House to respond. I wish to share my time with Deputy Wall.
When the Labour Party was last in government, it sanctioned in 1996 the redevelopment of Naas General Hospital. There have been major improvements at the hospital since in all aspects of the delivery of health services to the people of County Kildare. The final phase of the redevelopment of the hospital includes the provision of two additional 31-bed wards, additional physiotherapy and occupational services facilities and a catering unit for 255 patients and 800 staff. The final phase was to commence construction in 2004 but Government funding was not forthcoming. In 2005, when the HSE sought permission to seek tenders for the project, the Government did not give the required approval. The go-ahead was given in 2007. A lengthy tender process was undertaken and late last year a tender report was forwarded to the capital section of the HSE with a recommendation on the appointment of the preferred contractor. The board of the HSE met on 14 February this year and the draft capital plan for 2008 which has been submitted to the Minister for Health and Children does not include phase 3C. The plan requires the approval of the Minister and the Department of Finance.
We have now had four years of Government promises. On Monday of this week there were 16 patients on trolleys in Naas General Hospital; on Tuesday, 31; on Wednesday, 23, and today, 21. Nobody deserves to be treated in such an undignified manner. The provision of additional hospital beds under phase 3C would eliminate this practice. I, therefore, call on the Minister to change the draft capital plan for 2008 and include the final phase of the redevelopment of Naas General Hospital.
It is obvious that the Government which is preoccupied by tribunals and an internal leadership struggle has taken its eye off the ball. The economy is floundering as a result. As usual, the people who will suffer most are those most in need. While the Government gives tax breaks to its friends for private hospitals for the rich, ordinary citizens are left on trolleys in public areas of Naas General Hospital. There seems to be plenty of money available to support the Government's rich pals.
I state clearly that the Labour Party will campaign until this decision is reversed. I call on my constituency colleagues on the Government side of the House to support my campaign and that of Deputy Wall. Before the general election last May, the Government promised that phase 3C, the final phase of the redevelopment of Naas General Hospital, would proceed. It is time to put up or shut up.
Deputy Jack Wall: I thank Deputy Stagg for sharing time with me to discuss this issue.
I express my sincere regret that the extension to Naas General Hospital has
not been included in the draft capital plan. I recently contacted staff at the
hospital about a very serious and difficult case that had occurred overseas in
which I was trying to assist. I was delighted with the excellent reply I received.
Recent visits to the hospital show how much the new hospital means to the patients, the staff and the general public. As my colleague has stated, it is unfortunate to see how the use of trolleys has taken away from the overall project. The loss to the area of physiotherapy and occupational therapy services is significant. County Kildare and west Wicklow have seen a significant increase in population.
This is a draft capital plan with the possibility that Naas can be included. We are asking on behalf of our constituents that the Minister and the HSE reconsider and ensure that Naas hospital is completed to allow it to develop as a hospital of excellence for the people of Kildare and west Wicklow.
Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy Jimmy Devins): I am taking the Adjournment on behalf of my colleague, Deputy Mary Harney, Minister for Health and Children. I thank Deputies Stagg and Wall for raising the issue.
Over recent years, considerable funding has been made available for the completion of capital projects at Naas General Hospital. In 2003, a major €75 million capital project was completed at the hospital which included four 31-bed wards; six-bed coronary care unit; four-bed intensive care unit; three operating theatres; accident and emergency and out-patient departments; radiology department; pathology department; pharmacy department; and a department of medicine for older people which included a day hospital and rehabilitation-assessment ward.
In 2007, capital funding under the accident and emergency special initiative provided a seven-place medical assessment unit and a ten-bed transit unit. A central sterile stores department is also being provided at a cost of €3.8 million.
In drawing up its capital plan, the Health Service Executive is required to prioritise the projects to be progressed within its overall capital funding allocation. The HSE has been finalising its capital plan over recent weeks on this basis. A revised draft of the plan has now been completed and has just been made available to the Department for approval in the normal way.
The draft capital plan reflects the HSE's commitments and priorities. The HSE is currently reviewing a number of options to enable it to progress further capital projects over the coming years and proposals in this regard are awaited by the Department. The capital plan will be published as a whole upon approval. It is not productive to release information about the status of individual projects in advance of that.
Deputy Emmet Stagg: If I might, Leas-Cheann Comhairle-----
An Leas-Cheann Comhairle: That is quite out of order.
Deputy Emmet Stagg: Is the Minister of State saying he has no say in this matter whatsoever? Is it a matter for a quango?
An Leas-Cheann Comhairle: The Minister of State is not in a position to respond to that.
5th MARCH, 2008 - Stagg Angry at Naas Hospital Setback
Deputy Emmet Stagg has reacted angrily to the news that the building of Phase 3C of Naas General Hospital has not been included in the HSE Draft Capital Plan for 2008.
Despite the fact that a Tender Report had been presented in relation to the €28 Million Project Deputy Stagg stated that the HSE have not included the Project in their Draft Capital Plan for 2008 which has gone to the Departments of Health and Finance for approval.
Phase 3C was to involve the provision of 2 additional 31 bed wards at the Hospital, enhanced Physiotherapy and Occupational therapy services, and the building of a new catering department to provide facilities for 255 patients and 800 staff.
16 patients are on Trolley`s in Naas General Hospital today stated Deputy Stagg and an average of 12 patients were on Trolley`s each day last week, the highest number on Thursday when 27 patients were on Trolley`s. The provision of the additional wards would have ensured that patients would not have to suffer the indignity of such treatment.
Deputy Stagg stated that he intended to raise the issue with the Minister for Health and he indicated that he would be calling on her to either include Phase 3C in the 2008 Capital Programme or provide additional funding to enable its inclusion.
17th OCTOBER, 2007 - Construction of Phase 3C of Naas General Hospital Expected to Commence in January 2008
Deputy Emmet Stagg has continued to pressurise both the Minister for Health and the HSE in relation to the commencement of construction of Phase 3C of Naas General Hospital.
The HSE have now advised Deputy Stagg as follows:
- Final Invitations to Tender were issued on Friday October 12th to those Contractors who expressed an interest in carrying out the construction work.
- The final date for receiving responses to the Tender Invitation is Friday November 16th.
- The Successful Contractor`s Tender will then go before the Board of the HSE on Thursday 6th December for approval.
- Construction is expected to start in January, 2008.
Welcoming finality on this critical project once and for all Deputy Stagg stated that Phase 3C, at a cost of €28 Million, will see the Provision of 2 additional 31 bed wards at the Hospital, enhanced Physiotherapy and Occupational therapy services, and the building of a new catering department to provide facilities for 255 patients and 800 staff. It will stated Deputy Stagg enhance further the facilities at the Hospital for patients.
In conclusion Deputy Stagg stated that the project is likely to be completed by Mid 2010 and it is regretful that but for the refusal by the Government to sanction Tenders for the project in 2005, when the HSE was seeking approval, the project would nearly be completed at this stage.
26th APRIL, 2007 - Over 40 Contractors Express Interest in Tender for Phase 3C of Naas General Hospital
Deputy Emmet Stagg has been advised by the HSE that 40 Contractors have expressed an interest in Tendering for Phase 3C of Naas General Hospital.
Instead of issuing final Tender documents in April as previously promised, the HSE, stated Deputy Stagg, have decided to issue the final invitations to tender in August with a view to commencing construction in October of this year. Deputy Stagg questioned this further delay and was advised that the provision of a Medical Assessment Unit and Admissions Lounge was about to commence and that these units had to be completed prior to the commencement of the construction of Phase 3C. The timetable for the completion of the Medical Assessment Unit and the Admissions Lounge is October.
Phase 3C, at a cost of €28 Million will see the Provision of 2 additional 31 bed wards at the Hospital, enhanced Physiotherapy and Occupational therapy services, and the building of a new catering department to provide facilities for 255 patients and 800 staff. It will stated Deputy Stagg enhance further the facilities at the Hospital for patients.
Deputy Stagg concluded by stating that whilst another short delay has been encountered it is nothing like the delay inflicted on this project by the Government who have been holding up the HSE since early 2005 in seeking tenders for Phase 3C.
31st JANUARY, 2007 - Tenders Finally Invited for Phase 3C Of Naas General Hospital
Deputy Emmet Stagg has welcomed the final invitation of Tenders for Phase 3C of Naas General Hospital which were invited today 31st January.
The Tender Invitation stated Deputy Stagg includes both the Construction of Phase 3C and the building of a catering department at the hospital. Tenders and expressions of Interest must be returned to the HSE by 15th March, 2007, and a final invitation to tender from serious contractors will be issued on April 16th. It is expected that Construction will commence on site in September 2007 and will be completed by March 2010.
The €28 Million Project will see the Provision of 2 additional 31 bed wards at the Hospital, enhanced Physiotherapy and Occupational therapy services, and the building of a new catering department to provide facilities for 255 patients and 800 staff. It will stated Deputy Stagg enhance further the facilities at the Hospital for patients.
Whilst the Construction Timetable is a bit disappointing at 2 ½ years, this is a major project stated Deputy Stagg and but for the dithering by the Minister for Health, who delayed the project when the HSE wanted to seek tenders in early 2005, it would be open by this Christmas. But that's the uncaring, lax, indifferent Government we have.
14th NOVEMBER, 2006 - Stagg Disappointed at Further Delay in Phase 3C of Naas General Hospital
Deputy Emmet Stagg has expressed his disappointment at a further delay in seeking Tenders for Phase 3C of Naas General Hospital, with the announcement that the Invitation of Tenders for the Project will not occur until January, 2007, and that contractors will not be on site until April/May 2007.
Deputy Stagg stated that last June the HSE advised him that Tenders would be invited in the latter Quarter of 2006. Phase 3C will see the provision of 2 additional 31 bed wards at the Hospital at a cost of €28 Million. The project stated Deputy Stagg has been dogged by delays with the HSE originally ready to seek tenders in early 2005 but unfortunately the Minister for Health and the Government declined to give Capital Sanction to the project until May 2006.
Deputy Stagg stated that the provision of the additional Beds will ease the suffering of patients, who despite the best efforts of staff have to endure long periods on Trolleys in A. & E. at Naas. In the last week there were on average 13 people waiting on Trolleys at Naas A. & E. each day with the worst day last Monday with 26 people on Trolleys.
In conclusion Deputy Stagg stated that he would continue to pressurise the Minister and the HSE until the contractors were physically on site building Phase 3C.
26th JUNE, 2006 - October Earliest Date for Seeking Tenders for Phase 3C of Naas General Hospital -
Deputy Emmet Stagg has reacted with dismay to the news that it will be October this year at the earliest before tenders for the Final Phase of Naas Hospital will be sought.
The H.S.E. advised Deputy Stagg on 22nd June that the tender documentation for the Construction of Phase 3C is currently being finalised with a view to inviting tenders for its construction in the final quarter of 2006.
Phase 3C will see the Provision of 2 additional 31 bed wards at the Hospital at a cost of €28,600,000 stated Deputy Stagg. The galling thing about all this is that the H.S.E. have been awaiting approval to seek tenders for this project since early 2005 and when the project was included in the 2006 Capital Programme it took 4 months for the Tanaiste to give final sanction for the project to go to tender.
Deputy Stagg stated that on Friday night last 23rd June, their were 17 people on Trolleys in Naas A & E. This stated Deputy Stagg was 10% of all those on Trolleys at A & E`s in the State. If this Government was bothered about hard working families they would not have presided over this unacceptable delay in providing these additional 62 beds for the Hospital.
In conclusion Deputy Stagg stated that he would impress on the H.S.E. the urgency in bringing forward the tendering process given the severe pressure the Hospital is under even in the Summer.
18th MAY, 2006 - Stagg Welcomes Approval of Final Phase of Naas Hospital -
Deputy Emmet Stagg has welcomed the approval by the Department of Health of the H.S.E. Capital Programme 2006 which includes the final Phase of the Redevelopment of Naas Hospital, namely Phase 3C.
Deputy Stagg in welcoming the approval criticised the fact that the Extension to the Hospital, which includes 2 additional 31 bed wards has been held up since 2005 and should have been ready to go to construction now rather than starting the process of seeking tenders at this stage. Given the Bureaucratic nature that this Government imposes on such projects it could be well into next year before construction actually commences.
In conclusion Deputy Stagg stated that the addition of the 62 beds at Naas Hospital should bring relief to the unacceptable overcrowding in Naas A & E which has seen on average 20 patients on trolleys each day this year so far.
27th MARCH, 2006 - Final Phase of Naas Hospital on hold as Harney Dithers over Capital Budget for 2006 -
Deputy Emmet Stagg has slammed the Tanaiste and Minister for Health for dithering over the approval of the Final Phase of Naas Hospital which is included in the Health Services Executive 2006 Capital Programme
The final phase of the Re-development of Naas Hospital stated Deputy Stagg is Phase 3C which involves the provision of 2 additional 31 Bed Wards. The provision of these badly needed beds would lessen immensely the existing pressure on the Accident and Emergency Unit which has had on average 21 patients on trolley`s each day in March with 23 people on trolleys in Naas yesterday March 23rd.
This is the same Minister who has transferred all Health Matters to the HSE and refuses to be accountable to the people of the Country in the Dail by referring all parliamentary questions on Health issues to the HSE. Yet the Minister has final approval on the HSE Capital Programme and the 2006 Capital Programme is on her desk now for 7 weeks, since February 3rd, and she still refuses to give final Ministerial sanction. Every day lost on this project means Minister Harney is consigning people to despair as they lie on Trolley`s whilst waiting for treatment.
Deputy Stagg stated that her dithering is more evidence that this Government does`nt really care and that the people can lump it.
Deputy Stagg concluded by stating that he would continue to pressurise the Minister in every way he could.
28th FEBRUARY, 2006 - Stagg Castigates Harney over failure to sanction Final Phase of Naas Hospital -
Deputy Emmet Stagg has castigated the Tanaiste and Minister for Health for her failure to sanction the final phase of the re-development of Naas Hospital which would have a major impact in eliminating the scandal whereby patients attending Accident and Emergency are forced to wait on Trolleys for days on end.
Last Wednesday February 22nd was a particularly black day for Naas Hospital stated Deputy Stagg with 46 patients on Trolleys in Naas Accident and Emergency. This was the highest number recorded in all the hospitals in the State last Wednesday. Deputy Stagg further stated that in the first 2 months of 2006 the average daily number of patients on Trolleys in Naas is 20 people.
All this boils down to the refusal of Trolly Dolly Harney to sanction Phase 3C of the redevelopment of Naas Hospital which would provide 2 additional 31 bed wards stated Deputy Stagg. The H.S.E. are awaiting approval to seek tenders for these wards for over a year now and this is simply unacceptable.
Deputy Stagg stated that it is inhumane to leave elderly people on trolleys whilst awaiting admittance to hospital. The Staff at Naas Hospital are doing the best that they can but without enough beds how can we expect them to cope.
Deputy Stagg concluded by stating that he would continue to pressurise the Minister for Health until she did what she`s paid to do – that’s to provide a proper Health Service for the citizens of this State.
12th JANUARY, 2004 - Naas Hospital Downgrade on cards as a result of Hanly Report -
Deputy Emmet Stagg has expressed serious alarm at the consequences for NaasHospital arising from the Hanly Report recently adopted by the Government.
Deputy Stagg met with the Consultant who produced the report, Mr. David Hanly, recently and raised his concerns for the future of Naas General Hospital.
Mr. Hanly informed him that while the details of the Naas situation had not yet been examined the principal for such hospitals had been established in the report. The example there was the Ennis General Hospital in County Clare. The
role of the Ennis Hospital would be reduced to a 9 to 5 hospital with a greatly reduced Accident and Emergency Department and with no major trauma being treated
there. Patients in the Ennis case would by pass the local hospital and go to Limerick Hospital.
This general principal would apply to Naas General Hospital also said Mr. Hanly.
Reacting, Deputy Stagg said that he was now seriously alarmed for the future of Naas Hospital. It was, he said, the Government’s intention to reduce the new hospital at Naas and its modern Accident and Emergency Service to a glorified
first aid station and a convalescent home. Patients from Kildare and West Wicklow would, when the Government plan was implemented, be required to by-pass Naas Hospital to travel through chaotic traffic conditions to Dublin City hospitals where there would be scant guarantee of early admission.
Having spent €72 million on the upgrading of Naas Hospital and further expenditure of €38 million in the pipeline the Government now intend to give Naas a role way below that on which the tax payers money was spent designing the
new hospital.
I am now calling on the public in the County and in West Wicklow to organise to prevent this madness and to ensure that Kildare people are serviced by the best in hospital care in their own County.
