asked the Minister for Health the reasons maternity patients are being transferred from the general hospital in Tullamore, County Offaly, to the general hospital in Portlaoise, County Laois, as it is now causing great inconvenience to patients in County Offaly and putting them to great travel expense; if he will give an assurance that it is his intention to retain the maternity unit in Tullamore hospital; and if he will make the necessary arrangements with the CEO of the health board to have it fully staffed and that the same will apply to the paediatric unit and service.
Written Answers. - Tullamore (Offaly) Maternity Unit.
351.
Difficulties have arisen in Tullamore over the recruitment of a locum consultant to cover absences on leave and at weekends of the permanent obstetrician. The health board have accordingly, in the interests of mothers and their babies, made arrangements to have maternity patients transferred to Portlaoise during these absences.
There are no plans to discontinue maternity services at Tullamore.
On the question of a paediatric service the board and my Department are considering various proposals for the development of such services in the Midland Health Board area.