Hospital Services

Tuesday, 21 April 2026

Questions (153)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Question:

153. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health the plans in place to expand trauma services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28358/26]

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Written answers

The Trauma Strategy, 'A Trauma System for Ireland: The Report of the Trauma Steering Group' was approved by Government in February 2018. The Strategy recommended two regional hub-and-spoke trauma networks. Each Network has one designated Major Trauma Centre (MTC) for the treatment of major trauma and Trauma Units for the treatment of injuries of a lesser severity.

Significant progress has been made to develop an inclusive trauma system to co-ordinate and standardise trauma care, in line with the recommendations of the Strategy and a total of €16.65 million has been provided for the implementation of the Trauma Strategy since its launch in 2018.

The first phase of the implementation saw the establishment of two MTCs for the Central and South Trauma Networks. Services were officially launched the MTCs at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital and Cork University Hospital in April 2023. The second phase of the implementation focuses on the further development of services and the achievement of important milestones across the Central and South trauma networks. The recruitment of up to 90 WTEs, funded in 2025, provides for additional staffing for the opening and commissioning of important capital projects at the MTCs (such as extensions of EDs, additional trauma theatres and diagnostic suites). Staffing was also provided for University Hospital Galway to operate as a Trauma Unit with Specialist Services, the development of Planned Trauma Care Services at Merlin Park, Galway and the operation of our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Drogheda and University Hospital Waterford as Trauma Units.

In addition, the HSE National Office for Trauma Services has developed a number of guideline documents to support the delivery of trauma services. This includes a Pre-Hospital Triage Tool which can help to identify major trauma patients and ensure patients are brought to the most appropriate place for treatment.