asked the Minister for Health whether he will reconsider his decision not to grant assistance for the provision of a surgical ward in Athlone Hospital, in view of the present undesirable arrangement whereby numerous surgical cases have to be transferred by ambulance to Mullingar Hospital; and whether, in coming to his decision, he has taken full account of the remarkable increases in the population, trade, turnover and industrial output of the town which place it in a special position.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Improvements to Athlone Hospital.
There are at present facilities for minor surgery at Athlone District Hospital and the improvements being carried out at that hospital should improve the accommodation used for that purpose.
I take it, however, that the Deputy is referring to the provision of facilities for major surgery. No proposals for the provision of such facilities have been made by the authority responsible for the hospital, viz., the Westmeath County Council. The Athlone Urban District Council have made such proposals, direct to me and through the Minister for Industry and Commerce, basing their case on the considerations mentioned in the latter part of the Deputy's question. More is involved in the proposals than "the provision of a surgical ward". It would be necessary to improve the theatre and ancillary accommodation and to provide a high-level surgical team if the quality of the work done was to be up to the necessary standard and in view of the fact that facilities and staff of the required standard had already been provided in the county hospitals at Mullingar, Roscommon and Tullamore, I did not feel that I would be justified in present circumstances in acceding to the request of the urban district council.