Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
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24. To ask the Minister for Health what steps he is taking to increase productivity and health outcomes in Mayo University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25759/24]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As Minister for Health I am committed to the ongoing development of regional hospitals, such as Mayo University Hospital. This Government has allocated significant resources in order to improve services for patients in Mayo.?

In 2020, Mayo University Hospital had a budget of €119 million. This year, the budget is €143 million, meaning its Budget has grown by €24 million, that’s a 20% increase in just 4 years.?

Just last month, I visited Mayo University Hospital to meet with staff and see the progress of the development of the Emergency Department.

There has been a number of quality improvements at MUH such as a new discharge and transfer lounge, new electronic “Healthlinks” for endoscopy referrals and an expanded quality and patient safety team.

Further, on radiation oncology, the hospital continues to extend the working day for radiographers, facilitating extra MRI slots each day.

In January of this year I established a Productivity and Savings Taskforce with the aim of maximising the use of health funding. In April I announced an Action Plan that sets out an ambitious programme of savings targets aimed at minimising the level of financial risk the HSE is facing in 2024; and a range of productivity measures that aim to maximise access to health services for the public at all hospitals including Mayo University Hospital.