asked the Minister for Health if he will arrange with the Minister for Health in Northern Ireland to discuss the possibility of recognising Altnagelvin Hospital, Derry, as an extern hospital to serve County Donegal; and if he will make a comprehensive statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Derry Hospital.
59.
As the Deputy will be aware, Donegal County Council accept liability for the treatment of a limited number of Donegal patients in Altnagelvin Hospital mainly arising out of accidents and other emergencies. The initiative in regard to any extension of the present arrangements should appropriately come from Donegal County Council and I would suggest to the Deputy that as a first step he would have the matter considered by the county council of which he is a member.
As a member of the local authority, I should like to ask the Minister is he not aware that resolutions to this effect have been passed by the local authority, and passed on to his Department? Is he not further aware that on a recent visit to Donegal, he said categorically that this was a natural development—I am not quoting him—and that he would be in contact with his opposite number in Northern Ireland about this problem? In view of that fact, would the Minister now inform the House of the progress that has been made in relation to these negotiations?
Certainly this is something that does appear to be a logical and desirable development. I have a note which says that the Donegal County Manager is satisfied with the present arrangement where he can control the use of Altnagelvin Hospital by Donegal patients. The Deputy had better take it up again with his council before coming back to the Department.
It is only natural that a relationship such as that which exists between the Northern Ireland Health Authority in charge of Altnagelvin Hospital and Donegal County Council should exist, in view of the exceptional circumstances that may arise out of accidents. That is not the point. Would the Minister consider approaching the Northern Ireland authorities with a view to giving Altnagelvin some status as an extern hospital to be available to people in Donegal so that they would not have to travel long distances to Dublin?
I will, yes.