asked the Minister for Health the reason the paediatric unit at Castlebar General Hospital, County Mayo, has been closed.
Written Answers. - Castlebar (Mayo) General Hospital.
147.
The provision of paediatric services at Castlebar General Hospital is a matter for the Western Health Board in the first instance. The paediatric unit at Castlebar was closed on various occasions since April of last year due to the serious illness of the consultant paediatrician there and the non-availability of a suitable locum consultant paediatrician to provide the necessary cover despite the best efforts of the health board by public advertisement to secure an appropriate locum. During these closures all paediatric cases from County Mayo were referred to the Regional Hospital, Galway. The most recent period of closure was from 31 January to 12 February 1988. The consultant paediatrician resumed duty on 22 February last.
I am pleased to say that I recently issued clearance to the board, on financial grounds, to proceed with an application to Comhairle na nOspidéal for the appointment of a second whole time consultant paediatrician at Castlebar which should ensure that the necessity to close this unit will not arise in future.