asked the Minister for Health if he will approve the request made by the Western Health Board for an additional physician, surgeon and anaesthetist at the County Hospital, Roscommon; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Roscommon Hospital Consultant Medical Staff.
30.
The regulation of the number and type of consultant medical staff in hospitals engaged in the provision of services under the 1970 Health Act is a function of Comhairle na h-Ospidéal. A request for approval to the appointment of an additional consultant surgeon, physician and anaethetist was received in my Department from the Western Health Board. The board is also seeking funds to meet the cost of these additional appointments. In the current difficult budgetary situation I am not in a position to provide any additional funds.
In relation to the consultant surgeon appointment following a full examination of the surgical requirements of the Western Health Board area comhairle concluded that consultant surgical services at inpatient level should be discontinued at the County Hospital, Roscommon, and that alternative arrangements should be made to accommodate the surgical work currently performed at that hospital.