Skip to main content
Normal View

Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 2 Mar 1993

Vol. 427 No. 2

Written Answers. - County Louth Ophthalmology Service.

Michael Bell

Question:

184 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a limited out-patients ophthalmology service is provided at only one hospital in County Louth; that this limited service is informal and has not been sanctioned by him; that patients from County Louth must travel to Dublin; that because of cutbacks over the past year, this limited service has been severely curtailed; the reason he has not given sanction for the appointment of a consultant at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Patients in County Louth requiring ophthalmology services are referred to Dublin hospitals for treatment. However, a limited out-patients service provided by a consultant ophthalmic surgeon from the Mater Hospital is available at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda. My sanction is not required to informal arrangements of this nature between two voluntary hospitals.

The Deputy will be aware that Comhairle na nOspidéal is at present conducting a comprehensive review of consultant manpower requirements for the North Eastern Health Board area including Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda. No permanent consultant appointments are being made in the North Eastern Health Board region pending the outcome of the Comhairle review which is expected to be concluded later on this year. In addition the North Eastern Health Board is carrying out an examination of all health services in their area with a view to developing a strategic plan for the future provision of services. The development of an ophthalmic service for the Board's area will be considered in this context.
Top
Share