As a first step in the transformation of public hospitals into independent, not for profit hospital trusts, seven hospital groups have been established nationally in line with the recommendations of The Establishment of Hospital Groups as a Transition to Independent Hospital Trusts (the Higgins report) published in May 2012. Naas Hospital is part of the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group, along with the Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital, the Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise, the Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore, St. James's Hospital and Tallaght Hospital, with Trinity College Dublin as the academic partner for the group.
Each hospital group must develop a strategic plan for their future service configuration in the first year of their operation. These plans must describe how they will provide more efficient and effective patient services; how they will reorganise these services to provide optimal care to the populations they serve; and how they will achieve maximum integration and synergy with other groups and all other health services, particularly primary care and community care services. The development of all hospitals, including Naas Hospital, will be considered in the context of these strategic plans.
I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy in regard to the specific issues he raises of resources, equipment and staffing arrangements.