Two years ago the Minister for Health was present at the opening of a new orthopaedic theatre at St. Columcille's Hospital Loughlinstown. We were told then that this new facility was expected to reduce the waiting lists for orthopaedic operations, particularly for people waiting for hip replacement operations, in the south Dublin and north Wicklow areas. Subsequently, two orthopaedic surgeons were appointed and were to be shared with St. Michael's Hospital and St. Vincent's Hospital. Despite this not a single major orthopaedic operation has yet been performed in this new orthopaedic theatre. The waiting lists for hip replacements in south Dublin and north Wicklow are still as long as ever. On average, people are still waiting two years for hip replacement operations despite the fact that this fine facility is lying virtually idle. Admittedly, some smaller operations have been performed in the theatre but no major operations.
The local people, local doctors and myself as a local Deputy, cannot understand why this brand new facility is still lying idle while people are waiting for operations. There are two reasons I wish to raise the matter here: the first, concerns the waiting list and the facility which was provided at taxpayers' expense but which is not being used and, second, the downgrading of Loughlinstown hospital. The problem with the theatre has not been the only problem in relation to this hospital.
A number of years ago the maternity unit at Loughlinstown hospital was closed down. We were told at the time that the hospital was to be developed for orthopaedic services but this has not happened. In addition there is a problem with paediatric services at the hospital. I have received reports of children being brought to Loughlinstown hospital suffering from severe asthma attacks and not being permitted to use the nebulizer at the hospital because there is no paediatrician there. It is absurd that children from the area are being referred to city centre hospitals rather than being cared for in their own local hospital.
I would remind the Minister that Loughlinstown hospital serves a very wide area of south County Dublin and north Wicklow, an area which has a young population. It is disgraceful that the facilities of this hospital are not being used to the maximum extent, a facility which has been provided at taxpayers' expense, while local people are waiting for operations and cannot be treated in the hospital. I would like some explanation for this and some assurance from the Minister that Loughlinstown hospital will be given the consideration and the grading it deserves.
