asked the Minister for Health if it is proposed to discontinue surgery in the Sheil Hospital, Ballyshannon, County Donegal; and, if so, whether this decision will be reviewed.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Donegal Hospital Surgeon.
23.
Consequent on the resignation with effect from the 1st February, 1973 of the surgeon at the Sheil Hospital the hospital board applied to Comhairle na n-Ospidéal for approval to appoint a replacement. I am informed that the comhairle had agreed to the making of a temporary appointment for a period of six months while the situation was being examined.
I understand that the comhairle have recently indicated to the hospital authorities that the level and quantity of the surgical workload arising at the hospital would not justify the appointment of a consultant surgeon based solely on this hospital but that they are prepared to consider the continuance of the present arrangements for a further limited period while detailed arrangements for the future are being finalised, but only for the purpose of finalising detailed arrangements for the future which do not conflict with the principle they have laid down.
Under the provisions of section 41 of the Health Act, 1970 it is the comhairle's function to regulate the number and type of appointments of consultant medical staffs in hospitals engaged in the provision of services under the Act and I have no power to change their decision.
The Parliamentary Secretary referred to a limited period. For what length of time does he visualise the hospital will be permitted to continue surgery? Is the Parliamentary Secretary satisfied that section 41 of the 1970 Act which refers to the appointment of consultants does thereby imply the actual closure of a surgical hospital?
I have no indication of how long the further extension by the comhairle of the preseat arrangement will be but it has been indicated that it will only be for the purpose of finalising detailed arrangements for the future which do not conflict with the principles that they have laid down. As I indicated in my reply, the comhairle are the people who have responsibility for this under the 1970 Health Act and the Minister has no power to change their decision.
Comhairle na nOspidéal have to do with the appointment of the consultants and surgeons under section 41 of the 1970 Act but I question whether that gives them the right to discontinue surgery in a particular hospital. Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that south Donegal, southwest Donegal and a part of Leitrim have been very well served, for surgery purposes, in the Sheil Hospital in Ballyshannon and that a considerable amount of money has been expended in bringing up to date the facilities there for surgery in recent years, in fact, as recently as last year when some new extensions were opened? Would he consider it wise to permit the closure immediately of this hospital or even after six months when it is rendering a continuous service to the area, granted a limited service but an essential service, and if surgery is discontinued there will be a tremendous hardship to a big area of the county? Surely the Minister can intervene to ensure that it is continued in a temporary capacity for a number of years?
I should like to assure the Deputy that before reaching their decision a very detailed breakdown of the surgical workload in the hospital was undertaken and it was in the light of that examination and after discussion with the appropriate authorities in the hospital that the comhairle made their decision. As I indicated, the Minister has no power under the Health Act, 1970, to change that decision.
Does the Parliamentary Secretary realise that the board of governors of the Sheil Hospital had a meeting yesterday and that the board of governors themselves turned down the proposition that the comhairle have made and that they have decided to take this to the courts, that they, too, do not agree that the comhairle have the ultimate decision in this?
I am not so aware.
Questions Nos. 24, 25 and 26 postponed.
I wish to give notice that I intend to raise the subject matter of Question No. 32 on the Order Paper of 13th June on the Adjournment.
I think the Deputy ought to wait. There is a more appropriate time for this.
I understood I had to give notice before 3 o'clock.
What question has the Deputy in mind?
Question No. 32 of Wednesday, the 13th of June.
The Chair will communicate with the Deputy.