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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 8 Mar 1983

Vol. 340 No. 10

Written Answers. - Westmeath Hospital Designation.

501.

asked the Minister for Health the present position regarding the designation and implementation of a hospital (details supplied) in County Westmeath as an orthopaedic centre and if he will make a statement on the matter.

At the request of the Midland Health Board, Comhairle na nOspidéal advised that Tullamore should, in the long term, be the location of regional specialities within the board's area. Comhairle, however, did accept the need for an urgent short-term solution in relation to the provision of orthopaedic services (currently orthopaedic services are being provided from Dublin and Navan). Their advice, in this regard, was that the only medically acceptable solution was the provision of a temporary elective orthopaedic unit in or close to a general hospital where essential back-up services were available. In this context the Midland Health Board decided that elective orthopaedic facilities should be provided at the District Hospital, Athlone, in the short term. The board have been in touch with my Department in this matter and the issue is under consideration at the moment.

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