asked the Minister for Health if it is intended to remove the accident and emergency equipment from the North Infirmary Hospital, Cork; and if the said equipment is being sold or installed in another hospital.
Written Answers. - Cork City Hospitals.
85.
The number of patients attending the casualty department at the North Infirmary has been very few. From 1 to 24 November this year only five new patients attended the casualty department of the North Infirmary, all of whom were referred to the Mercy Hospital. In fact, during the current year only 353 new patients attended the casualty department at the North Infirmary.
In these circumstances I felt that the proposed expenditure of £100,000 on the casualty unit at the North Infirmary could not be justified and that the best way to improve accident and emergency facilities for the people of the north city was to improve the cramped facilities at the Mercy Hospital. I increased the level of the proposed capital grant to £335,000 to provide for renovations to the accident and emergency department at the Mercy Hospital and to provide a separate outpatient department.
As part of the improvements in the accident and emergency services it is proposed to transfer relevant equipment from the casualty unit at the North Infirmary Hospital to the new casualty department at the Mercy Hospital.
86.
asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in sanctioning the appointment of a neurologist for the South Infirmary Hospital, Cork.
I have no proposal from the South Infirmary/Victoria Hospital requesting approval to the appointment of a neurologist.