asked the Minister for Health whether it is proposed to establish surgical centres at the District Hospitals in Ballina and Belmullet.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Surgical Centres in Ballina and Belmullet Hospitals.
6.
The answer to the Deputy's question is in the negative. Properly-equipped surgical centres would require a Theatre Suite with all necessary personnel. For major surgery, the personnel would be a Surgeon, an Anaesthetist, depending on circumstances, a Resident Medical Officer, a Theatre Sister, and additional nursing staff. Radiological services would also be needed. It would be out of the question to provide all these facilities in small District Hospitals such as Ballina and Belmullet when a major surgical centre is available in the county.
All the facilities required for surgery are provided in the County Hospital at Castlebar, backed by services for more specialised types of surgery at regional centres.
The Deputy will, of course, appreciate that half of any increase in cost which would arise from implementing the proposal would have to be borne by the ratepayers of County Mayo.