asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the difficulties at present existing in Clonmel, particularly for medical card holders, owing to the lack of an adequate dispensary service; and what steps he is taking for the appointment of two dispensary doctors for Clonmel.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Clonmel Dispensary Services.
31.
Mr. O'Malley
There are two Clonmel dispensary districts—Clonmel No. 1 dispensary district comprising the Clonmel urban area and Clonmel No. 2 dispensary district comprising the surrounding rural area. Each district is served by a separate district medical officer. I presume that the Deputy's question refers to the position in the No. 1 district where the district medical officer has to provide services for a large number of eligible persons.
This matter has been under consideration by my Department and by the health authority and I propose, subject to any views the health authority may have, to amalgamate Clonmel No. 1 and No. 2 dispensary districts later this year when a suitable opportunity offers on the retirement of the district medical officer of the No. 2 district under the age limit.
The amalgamated district will be served by two district medical officers and areas will be assigned to them so as to ensure, as far as possible, that there is an equitable distribution of the work-load between the two doctors.