Questions from Deputy Eoghan Kenny - PQ 41220-26, 41221-26, 41222-26, 41223-26, 41224-26, 41225-26 and 41226-26

To ask the Minister for Health the number of the 24 newly opened inpatient beds at Mallow General Hospital that are currently operational; the extent to which these beds are being utilized for step-down transfers from Cork University Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [PQ 41220/26]

To ask the Minister for Health whether she is aware of concerns raised regarding the absence of overnight anaesthetic cover at Mallow General Hospital; whether this lack of cover is impacting the ability to safely accept transfers from Cork University Hospital; and if she will outline any plans to address this staffing deficit. [PQ 41221/26]

To ask the Minister for Health the number of occasions in the past 12 months where patients deemed clinically suitable for transfer from Cork University Hospital to Mallow General Hospital were not accepted; the reasons recorded for those refusals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [PQ 41222/26]

To ask the Minister for Health if the clinical governance process that was followed prior to the opening of 24 additional inpatient beds at Mallow General Hospital; the person or body that authorized the opening of these beds; whether concerns were raised regarding the absence of overnight anaesthetic cover prior to their opening; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [PQ 41223/26]

To ask the Minister for Health whether a formal patient safety or risk assessment was conducted before the opening of the new inpatient beds at Mallow General Hospital; whether this assessment considered emergency deterioration of inpatients overnight; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [PQ 41224/26]

To ask the Minister for Health the patient cohort that the 24 newly opened inpatient beds at Mallow General Hospital is intended to accommodate; whether these beds are intended for step-down transfers from Model 4 hospitals, direct admissions, elective activity, rehabilitation, or other purposes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [PQ 41225/26]

To ask the Minister for Health the number of the 24 newly announced inpatient beds at Mallow General Hospital that are considered fully operational for the purposes of accepting transfers from Cork University Hospital on a 24-hour basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [PQ 41226/26]