Vol. 461 No. 4
89 Mr. J. Walsh asked the Minister for Health the plans, if any, he has to maintain and expand the services available at the County Hospital, Bantry, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the future plans for the hospital. [3177/96]
Limerick East): Comhairle na n-Ospidéal carried out a detailed review of the consultant manpower levels in the Southern Health Board and published their report in early 1995. In their report they recommended that Bantry Hospital should have a second physician with a special interest in services for the elderly and a second surgeon. The current complement is one physician and one surgeon.
The Southern Health Board has been considering the recommendations of this report and is in the process of preparing a comprehensive plan for the acute hospital services in the region. In relation to Bantry Hospital, a report will shortly be presented to the Southern Health Board for their consideration outlining plans for the future of acute hospital services in Bantry Hospital. The unique geographical location of Bantry demands special consideration in the light of the distance to the major centre in Cork, and this will be reflected in the proposal shortly to be presented to the board.
I look forward to receiving a copy of these proposals when they have been approved by the board, and I can assure the Deputy that they will be given full consideration in my Department.
The Deputy will also wish to know that, in January, the acute psychiatric unit for the West Cork catchment area transferred to Bantry Hospital as the final stage in the development of psychiatric services in West Cork. A substantial capital grant of £350,000 was provided by my Department for the refurbishment of the accommodation in Bantry Hospital for the new 18 bed unit.
