Vol. 469 No. 4
29 Mr. J. Walsh asked the Minister for Health if he will request the Southern Health Board to re-open the orthopaedic out-patients clinic at Bantry General Hospital, County Cork, in view of the fact that patients have to travel as far as 100 miles to attend such clinics in Cork city hospital even for minor examinations. [17614/96]
Limerick East): I have been advised by the Southern Health Board that, due to ongoing construction work in the out-patients' department at Bantry Hospital, there has been some disruption to its out-patient services. However, the board has confirmed that it is having immediate discussions with a view to recommencing its full range of out-patient clinics at Bantry Hospital, including the orthopaedic clinic. In the interim, arrangements have been put in place to accommodate West Cork orthopaedic patients at Cork University Hospital.
I have asked the Southern Health Board to keep me informed on this issue.
