(Cavan-Monaghan) asked the Minister for Health, in view of the long delay for patients awaiting orthopaedic operations, particularly hip operations, in the North Eastern Health Board area, if he will request that health board to arrange to have such operations performed in St. Joseph's Orthopaedic Hospital, Coole, County Westmeath to reduce the delay.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Orthopaedic Operations.
67.
The arrangements suggested by the Deputy would be primarily a matter for the North-Eastern Health Board and I have had no proposal from the board in the matter.
Orthopaedic operations were carried out in St. Joseph's Hospital, Coole, but were discontinued in 1976 due to difficulties in making satisfactory arrangements for the service.
A second operating theatre was opened in the Orthopaedic Unit, Navan, in November 1979 and this will enable additional operations to be carried out when refurbishing of the original theatre is completed which is now scheduled for June next.
In the circumstances I do not consider that I would be warranted in putting the Deputy's suggestion to the health board.
As a result of the additional theatre in Navan will there be more operating capacity in the North-Eastern Health Board area than there was prior to the closure of the hospital in Coole?
I presume there would be. I do not have that information specifically.
That is more or less the nub of the question.
There would be at least as many if not more. I will communicate with the Deputy later.