asked the Minister for Health if he will make a statement regarding the continuation of full maternity services in the County Hospital, Roscommon in view of a recent allegation that a patient was refused maternity facilities.
Written Answers. - County Hospital, Roscommon.
124.
There is no consultant staffed maternity service at the County Hospital, Roscommon, and I am not satisfied that the development of such a service could now be justified, having regard to the many unsatisfied demands for developments which have been fully justified and to the fact that full consultant staffed obstetric services, which are capable of catering for Roscommon mothers, are already available in the Western Health Board area. This means, of course, that except in emergencies maternity services are not available in the County Hospital, Roscommon, and expectant mothers should make appropriate arrangements with one of the hospitals where consultant maternity services are provided.
125.
asked the Minister for Health when a consultant physician and surgeon took up duty in the County Hospital, Roscommon; the number of nursing staff and the number of medical staff with details of their responsibility; the cost of capital works since 1977; the date the obstetrician/gynaecologist was approved and the appointment approved; the number of back-up staff required and the cost; the reason for the breakdown in discussions between his Department and Western Health Board; the date the consultant paediatrician was appointed; when he took up duty; when he resigned his position and the cost of funding for that period and if he has received an application for the appointment of a second physician and surgeon.
(1) A consultant physician took up duty in Roscommon County Hospital on 1 August 1977; (2) A consultant surgeon took up duty in Roscommon County Hospital on 1 November 1977; (3) The numbers of nursing and medical staff employed are 97 and 16 respectively. The nursing staff comprises one matron, one assistant matron, one home sister, six ward sisters, 85 staff nurses, two night sisters and one theatre sister. The medical staff includes a consultant anaesthetist, physician, radiologist and surgeon, one registrar, eight house officers and three interns; (4) The cost of capital works funded by my Department since 1977 amounts to £156,222; (5) The obstetrician gynaecologist post was approved by Comhairle na nOspidéal on the 20 March 1981. On the recommendation of the Local Appointments Commission the chief executive officer approved an appointment in February 1982; (6) The number of back-up staff required was 14 at an annual cost of £100,000 for 1982; (7) The question of support staff had to be considered in the context of the existing financial situation and the Government's policy in relation to numbers in the public sector. The Western Health Board which was seeking substantial additional staff in other areas at the time was asked by my Department to re-examine the situation and to identify its priorities with a view to meeting its more urgent needs by redeployment of existing resources. This remains the position; (8) The paediatrician was appointed on the 16 February 1982. He took up duty on 1 July 1982 and he resigned on 1 April 1983. The cost of funding for the nine month period was approximately £25,000; (9) No applications have been received from the Western Health Board for the appointment of a second physician and surgeon.