Vol. 420 No. 6
128 Mr. Boylan asked the Minister for Health when he proposes to appoint an anaesthetist to Cavan General Hospital, County Cavan; if his attention has been drawn to the present situation where a retired anaesthetist is obliging the health board on a casual basis for the past three years; if he has satisfied himself that this is a satisfactory arrangement; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Comhairle na nOspidéal is the statutory body with responsibility for the regulation of the type and number of consultant posts. The Comhairle are presently undertaking a review of consultant manpower needs in the North Eastern Health Board and no permanent consultant appointments are being made in that health board pending the outcome of this review. However, I understand that a locum consultant anaesthetist has been secured by the health board to cover a vacancy created by the resignation of a consultant anaesthetist at the hospital.
I also understand that a retired consultant anaesthetist has been employed on a locum basis for very short periods of time to cover unexpected absences at Cavan General Hospital.
