asked the Minister for Health if the decision of Comhairle na nOspidéal on the future of Sheil Hospital, Ballyshannon, County Donegal, has been brought to his attention; if so, if he is in agreement with it; if he is satisfied that Sligo County Hospital and Letterkenny Hospital are geared to meet the hospital demands of this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Donegal Hospital Services.
43.
I am aware of the decisions taken by Comhairle na nOspidéal in relation to the application of the authorities of Shiel Hospital for the appointment of a replacement surgeon for the hospital.
In brief, the comhairle, taking into account the present and prospective level and quantity of the surgical workload of the hospital, decided that the employment of a single surgical consultant at the hospital was no longer justifiable in the interest of patients. The comhairle agreed, however, to the making of a temporary appoinment as surgeon for the hospital initially for a six-month period and subsequently for a second period of six months commencing on 1st August, 1973.
The statutory position is that this is a matter for decision by the comhairle and the question of my agreement or disagreement does not arise.
As to the final part of the Deputy's question, the North Western Health Board will, I believe, provide adequately for the hospital needs of the area.
Is the Minister aware that the people responsible for some of the services, or who will be called on to provide some of the services necessitated by the virtual closure of this hospital, are not satisfied that the other two hospitals can provide the necessary facilities? In the light of that, would the Minister not consider—these people will have to do this work—that their advice should be sought before a decision affecting the long-term future of this hospital is made?
Perhaps I should have prefaced my reply by saying that the recommendations or decisions which the comhairle made do not need my approval or disapproval. I am advised that patients in that area can be catered for in Sligo County Hospital and Letterkenny County Hospital. May I stress again that it is not a function of mine to approve or to disapprove?
I should like to ask the Minister is he aware that doctors in the North Western Health Board region held a meeting last Monday and that although they agreed in principle with the comhairle's recommendation, they do not think it is feasible in the next number of years for the Sligo hospital and the Letterkenny hospital to take over the surgical hospital due to lack of staff and beds? I ask the Minister to request the comhairle to reconsider their decision.
May I repeat that the decision is not for my approval or disapproval? As Deputy White has said, I have been informed that there was a meeting of the North Western Health Board on 9th July. Two resolutions were passed at that meeting, one, that the board see Comhairle na nOspidéal about keeping on surgery at Sheil, and, two, that the board initiate proceedings with the authorities of the Sheil Hospital about the board taking over the hospital. I am not yet in a position to say what response there was by An Comhairle to that request or whether that request has been received by the comhairle.
Is there an appeal lying from the decision of An Comhairle? Would the Minister not agree that when he inherited this office too much power had devolved from it?
I would not comment on the last part of the question until I have had a little more experience of Comhairle na nOspidéal.
The Minister has said he does not have to approve or disapprove. I take it he is not divesting himself of overall policy decisions which he would be making arising from the reports he is awaiting?
The decision will be the decision of the Government as to what is to happen to the FitzGerald Report. Comhairle na nOspidéal have the function in regard to the appointment of consultants.
The Minister is not divesting himself——
The Deputy would soon tell me if I was.
I should like to ask the Minister does he not agree that the doctors in the North Western Health Board region know the position better than the comhairle, who are sitting in Dublin?
Question No. 44.
What is interesting here is what the public think.
The Chair has called the next question and expects to be obeyed.
The comhairle are only doing what they can do within their terms of reference.
The Minister will not be able to make a decision on the situation until he has received the reports.
That will be a headache.