I thank the Minister for his attendance. For more than 20 years Our Lady's Hospital, Navan, County Meath has been recognised as the orthopaedic services centre for the North Eastern Health Board area. The Minister is aware that its record of service is second to none. It appears that there has been a change of policy, however, as the hospital has been waiting a year or more for the appointment of an orthopaedic surgeon to replace a retired person. It also appears that there is an embargo against such an appointment. Will the Minister immediately investigate this urgent matter? Four new consultants, including one orthopaedic surgeon, have been or are being appointed to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda. One must assume that this represents a clear U-turn in policy as it means a division of services and a possible future winding down of the orthopaedic service at Navan hospital.
The orthopaedic service at Our Lady's Hospital, Navan is well below its quota of surgical personnel at consultant level. I am pleased with the new capital development in recent years at the hospital. Regrettably, however, this has not been matched by increased orthopaedic surgical consultant personnel and staff. It is obvious that there is concern among the existing professional staff with regard to the future policy for the development of the orthopaedic service at Navan hospital. It appears that the North Eastern Health Board has not been fully advised in this regard. The Minister should clarify this matter as soon as possible.
In 1992, the then Minister for Health, former Deputy O'Connell, informed me that the important orthopaedic role played by Our Lady's Hospital, Navan was greatly appreciated. He assured me there was no question of weakening the hospital's services, particularly the orthopaedic service. I appeal to the current Minister to give the same assurance to the consultants, staff and patients of the orthopaedic unit at Our Lady's Hospital, Navan, that these services will remain as the sole orthopaedic service for the region.
The advantages of having one unit based at Navan hospital include the fact that an experienced staff is already in place. Six surgeons would work together on one site and a pooling of expertise, consultation and cross-referral would occur as a result. The existence of one unit would also mean better value for money as there would be fewer consultant travelling expenses, etc., and it would be more cost effective to have one set of staff — consultants, nursing and junior doctors — on one site. Another advantage would be having one consultant on emergency call for the region, with a one in six rota meaning that no locum would be required. Other advantages include the fact that orthopaedic theatres and dedicated nursing staff are already in place and qualified junior staff would be attracted to one site. Finally, more acute orthopaedic beds would be required in Navan hospital and hand/foot surgery could be encouraged at that centre. This would lead to a strengthening of general surgery and medical back-up.
In conclusion, I recommend that the Minister keep the acute orthopaedic unit in Navan hospital with six consultants to lead the service. The expertise of existing staff should be built upon.
