asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that Naas, County Kildare, has been without a permanent dispensary doctor for the last ten months; and that in this period there have been no less than six doctors doing locum on a temporary basis; and whether he is satisfied that this is the best method of giving medical attention to the area.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Naas Dispensary Doctor.
21.
I am aware that the district known as Naas and Carragh dispensary district has been without a permanent district medical officer since 1st April, 1963. As the Deputy has already been informed to-day, the permanent post is in process of being filled by the Local Appointments Commissioners and has already been advertised.
Some of the inferences in the question are misleading. When the last incumbent of the permanent post, who had filled that post continuously for over 30 years, retired voluntarily on 31st March last, he remained on in a temporary capacity until 15th July so that the people of the district had, up to that date, the services of the same doctor as they had for so many years. It is not unusual, of course, after a district medical officer has ceased to serve in a permanent capacity to re-appoint him temporarily.
Since 16th July, there were four doctors who acted in a temporary capacity in the Naas post. Therefore, the total number of doctors who acted temporarily in the post since 1st April last was five, not six as stated in the question, and of the five, one was the last occupant of the permanent post.
Having said this, I must say that I agree that changes of medical officer, such as have occurred in the present instance, are undesirable. I am satisfied, however, that this situation was unavoidable and that the health authority have done all they can to make satisfactory interim arrangements for the provision of district medical officer services in the area pending the making of the permanent appointment.