asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the intentions of the executive of the Southern Health Board to transfer the acute facilities from Mallow General Hospital, County Cork, against the wishes of the majority of the members, to a voluntary public hospital in Cork city; if his approval was sought for this move; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - County Cork Hospitals.
163.
The Deputy will be aware that on 8 March the Hospitals Committee of the Southern Health Board requested the board's management to prepare a report on the organisation of acute hospital facilities in Cork in the light of the board's financial difficulties. I understand that the Cork voluntary hospitals have been consulted in the course of preparation of this report. At its last meeting on 12 April, the Hospitals Committee decided to postpone consideration of the report in view of the application to the High Court for a judicial review of the provision of hospital services in Mallow Hospital.
As I have indicated to the Deputy on a number of occasions, I am in favour of the board reviewing all options open to it to provide the most effective and efficient hospital service to the people of North Cork.