Vol. 439 No. 3
133 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for Health the plans, if any, he has to contract out hip replacement surgery in the Southern Health Board region when the present programme expires; if he has satisfied himself that the orthopaedic specialities in the Cork region are adequate to deal with the numbers wishing to avail of the service; if St. Mary's Orthopaedic Hospital is now operating at the optimum; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I am not aware that the Southern Health Board has any plans to extend the present agreement for hip replacement surgery with the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast.
With regard to orthopaedic facilities generally in Cork, the Deputy will be aware that last year I approved the filling of a fifth orthopaedic surgeon post in Cork on a permanent basis. Approval was also given to the Southern Health Board in 1992 to provide new clean air theatre facilities at St. Mary's Orthopaedic Hospital, Gurranebraher. Building work on the project is expected to be completed by September of this year. Because of the phasing of the building work, the Board anticipate that hip replacement operations will recommence at the end of May. In the interim, all orthopaedic procedures with the exception of joint replacements are being carried out at the hospital.
I am confident that the fifth consultant post and new clean air theatre facilities will significantly enhance the service for orthopaedic patients in Cork.
