asked the Minister for Health the expected delivery date, the cost and the number of CAT scanners to Irish hospitals; the figure of CAT scanners per head of the population compared with other EEC countries after delivery.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - CAT Scanners.
21.
Two general purpose CAT scanners have been purchased for use in Irish hospitals at a total cost of approximately £700,000. One has been in use at St. Laurence's Hospital, Dublin, since November last and the second scanner has been delivered to Cork Regional Hospital and is expected to be operational next October.
Thus, in this country, the population per CAT scanner is approximately 1.5 million. The corresponding figure in the United Kingdom is one million.
This information is not available in my Department in respect of other EEC countries but I expect to obtain it shortly and I will forward it to the Deputy.
Has the Minister plans for the purchase of further CAT scanners?
Yes. I should think that we will have to buy some more. It is calculated that one CAT scanner is required for about each 700,000 of the population. That indicates that we would probably need four of these scanners and as we have two the indication would be that we would need two more.
This would mean that in the next five years we would be better provided for in terms of CAT scanners than is the situation in the UK.
I understand that it is intended in the UK to acquire more of these scanners.