Vol. 419 No. 6
137 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the main areas of difficulty confronting staff and patients at Tralee General Hospital, as detailed to him by the staff when he visited the hospital on 2 May 1992; and the steps he intends to take to alleviate those difficulties.
I had a most informative and useful meeting with staff and Southern Health Board management at Tralee General Hospital on 2 May 1992.
A wide-ranging discussion took place with particular reference to the question of junior anaesthetic staff, the appointment of a physician in geriatric medicine and the appointment of a locum obstetrician gynaecologist.
As the Deputy will be aware, specific provision was made in the Southern Health Board's financial allocation in 1992 for the development of ENT services at Tralee General Hospital, which had been identified as a priority by the health board and Tralee Hospital consultant staff in the current year. The Health Board has now submitted proposals in this regard to my Department which are under consideration at present. The question of junior anaesthetic staff is being examined in the context of the development of the ENT service. I understand that the appointment of a physician in geriatric medicine at Tralee General Hospital is a priority with the Southern Health Board. This will have to be considered in the light of the Board's overall competing service priorities and the resources available to meet these.
There are two obstetrician gynaecologists at the hospital. One is on sick leave at present. The Board is endeavouring to secure the services of a locum obstetrician gynaecologist but is experiencing difficulty in this regard. However, the Board will continue its efforts to arrange locum cover.
