asked the Minister for Health if he will appoint a consultant paediatrician to Wexford County Hospital, as it is essential that a hospital in which up to 2,000 babies are delivered per year should have a full-time consultant paediatrician.
506.
Written Answers. - Wexford County Hospital.
505.
asked the Minister for Health when he will appoint a consultant pathologist with direct responsibility for all pathology services in Wexford County Hospital in view of the recommendation in the Comhairle na nOspidéal document on consultant manpower projections up to 1981.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle I propose to take Questions Nos. 505 and 506 together.
Approval to the appointment of a pathologist and a paediatrician at Wexford County Hospital is a matter in the first instance for Comhairle na nOspidéal whose statutory function it is to regulate the number and type of consultant medical staffs. I understand that the South Eastern Health Board have not applied to the Comhairle for approval to the appointment of a pathologist or paediatrician at Wexford County Hospital.
The South-Eastern Health Board are, however, considering developments at Wexford County Hospital including a paediatric service and, in the event of such development going ahead, it will be a matter for the Comhairle to approve the creation of a post of paediatrician.
In the case of the pathology service this is at present provided on a regional basis from Ardkeen Hospital and I understand the health board have no proposal to change this arrangement.
507.
asked the Minister for Health when he will provide a new theatre in Wexford County Hospital.
508.
asked the Minister for Health when he will provide an intensive care unit and recovery room in Wexford County Hospital.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 507 and 508 together.
A development control plan for the County Hospital, Wexford, was approved in 1980. In December 1981 the health board sought approval for the erection of a new theatre suite at the rear of the existing hospital. The board also proposed the adaptation of the existing theatre area as an intensive care unit. These proposals are not in accordance with what is envisaged in the development control plan and the board have been asked to examine the feasibility of constructing improved surgical facilities in accordance with the development control plan.
I accept the need for such facilities. As the capital and revenue costs involved in providing them are very substantial, I regret that in view of the current, difficult financial climate. I cannot at this time, give any precise indication as to when they can be provided. I will, however, keep the situation under review.
509.
asked the Minister for Health when he will appoint two radiographers to Wexford County Hospital in view of the vast discrepancy between the national average which is 1:39,000 but 1:100,000 in County Wexford.
From the statistics mentioned I assume that the Deputy is referring to radiologists and not radiographers of which six are employed in Wexford County Hospital giving a ratio of one to 16,500 population. There is one radiologist employed and Comhairle na nOspidéal have approved a second post which has not yet been cleared by the Department for funding purposes. The position is being kept under review.
510.
asked the Minister for Health when he will sanction the purchase of a model S5 coulter counter for Wexford County Hospital as patient care at the hospital is suffering as a result of the long delay in the decision to purchase the counter.
The provision of laboratory equipment such as a coulter counter for Wexford County Hospital is primarily a matter for the South Eastern Health Board.
I am aware that the purchase of this equipment, and its cost implications, are being actively examined by the board at present and any proposals for the provision of this equipment will be fully considered in the light of the resource available to me.
511.
asked the Minister for Health when he will provide a proper bed and passenger lift for the surgical unit of Wexford County Hospital, since there are two tower wards accommodating 41 patients and all operation cases are taken up two flights of stairs to the wards on a canvas stretcher supported by two long poles.
This is a matter for the health board in the first instance and my Department have received no specific proposals from the health board for the provision of a bed-passenger lift at the hospital.
I am aware of the difficulties in relation to moving post-operative cases in Wexford County Hospital and any proposal from the health board to my Department in relation to this matter will be given very careful consideration in the context of the resource available to me.