Vol. 449 No. 8
71 Dr. Moffatt asked the Minister for Health the reason the health capital programme makes no mention or provision for phase 2 of the Mayo General Hospital; if the present Government will honour this commitment; and if he will make a statement on the matter.[4195/95]
Limerick East): I accept the need for the phase 2 development of Mayo General Hospital. The position is that a project team under the aegis of the Western Health Board is currently preparing a revised design brief to reflect changes in medical practice and technological advances which have occurred since the original brief was prepared. The capital funding required in 1995 for this project will depend on the rate of progress that can be achieved in relation to the completion of the planning process. I can assure the Deputy that the 1995 health capital programme will contain provision for whatever expenditure may arise on the project this year.
72 Dr. Moffatt asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the undue delays experienced by patients for radiological investigations at Mayo General Hospital, Castlebar, County Mayo; his views on whether an extra radiologist and radiographer should be employed to alleviate the delays being experienced at this busy unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3721/95]
Limerick East): I understand from the Western Health Board that the waiting time for routine radiological investigations is 7 to 10 days at Mayo General Hospital. The maximum waiting time for specialist examinations is three to four months. However, I am assured by the board that urgent radiological investigations always receive priority attention.
The provision of radiology services at Mayo General Hospital, including the identification of any additional staffing needs, are a matter for the Western Health Board in the first instance. Proposals for the filling of additional posts are reviewed on a regular basis by my Department. This review is undertaken having regard to service and personnel criteria in the context of the priority afforded to each post by the agency concerned and with particular regard to the availability of financial resources.
Under existing personnel policy therefore, it is the responsibility of each health agency to submit prioritised manpower proposals to my Department, including details of service requirements and proposed funding arrangements.
Proposals in respect of the posts referred to by the Deputy have not been included by the Western Health Board in its most recent manpower submission to my Department.
