asked the Minister for Health the present position regarding the appointment of a permanent doctor in the Banagher area, County Offaly.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Laois-Offaly Medical Appointments.
21.
The appointment of a general practitioner in the Banagher area is a matter for the Midland Health Board. They have informed me that a doctor has recently taken up duty there.
22.
asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that many people in Ferbane, County Offaly, are requesting the appointment of a second doctor in this area to cater for the large population.
The provision of general practitioner services for eligible persons in the Ferbane area is a matter for the Midland Health Board. I understand that, while they do not propose to appoint an additional doctor at present, the position in this area will be kept under review.
I understand the number of eligible patients a doctor must have on his books is 2,000 and that there are something over 2,000 eligible patients in this area. Would the Minister consider this? Will the doctor who is being appointed in the Banagher area and who resides three miles from Ferbane be in a position to cover the two areas?
Yes, he would be. In fact, the doctor referred to by the Deputy had too large a panel due to the fact that the doctor in Banagher was ill at the time and could not attend to the patients who presented themselves to him. That position has eased now on the appointment of a new doctor to Banagher and that will lessen the load on the doctor in Ferbane.
23.
asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the advertisements by the Midland Health Board concerning the appointment of a doctor at Castletown, County Laois; and if the doctor who is considering this appointment has made a decision on the matter.
This appointment is a matter for the Midland Health Board. I understand that a doctor has indicated that he will take up duty at the end of February.