asked the Minister for Health if, in view of the number of acute cases needing treatment at Merlin Park Hospital, Galway, he will give immediate sanction to purchase a further Kidney machine.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Purchase of Kidney Machine.
11.
A proposal from the Western Health Institutions Board to purchase one additional Travenol twin coil kidney machine and a bed weighing machine has been sanctioned by my Department. This brings the total number of artificial kidney machines in the new renal dialysis unit to three.
Will the Minister ensure that specialised nursing staff will work full time on these machines rather than delegating them to other duties?
The idea was that these machines will have a full load of activity. I have no information about the nursing position.
I believe there is delay in the use of these machines and that some men, who could be employed to better advantage, are employed on cleansing them. These machines should be used to the full by having nursing staff used for that purpose. Will the Minister look into the matter?
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