Vol. 472 No. 8
74 Mrs. O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the outcome of the report which he sought from Portiuncula Hospital, County Galway, on that hospital's involvement in the provision of paediatric services in Athlone, County Westmeath, which services are welcome and appreciated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24254/96]
Limerick East): As I have stated on previous occasions, the responsibility for the provision of paediatric services in Athlone rests, in the first instance, with the Midland Health Board. The board informs me that it provides a paediatric outpatients service at the District Hospital, Athlone, which catered for 72 new patients and 306 return patients in 1995. Further to a report on this matter which I received from Portiuncula Hospital I understand that the service to which the Deputy is referring is an outpatient clinic held in Athlone and staffed by a consultant paediatrician, based in Portiuncula Hospital. This clinic is provided at the discretion of the hospital authorities in order to facilitate former inpatients from the hospital who live in Athlone. This clinic is in addition to the paediatric outpatient service currently being provided there by the Midland Health Board. I am assured that the issue of accommodation for this additional clinic, which is a matter for the agencies involved, is being pursued with the Midland Health Board by the authorities in Portiuncula Hospital.
