Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 4 Mar 1997

Vol. 475 No. 7

Written Answers. - Hospital Services.

Declan Bree

Question:

69 Mr. Bree asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that, despite his reply to Parliamentary Question No. 88 of 26 September 1996 indicating that the North Western Health Board intended putting in place a significantly enhanced epidural service in Sligo General Hospital from the beginning of 1997, to date the health board has failed to provide this very necessary service; if his attention has further been drawn to the concerns of many expectant mothers who are distressed at the continued failure of the health board to provide such a service in Sligo General Hospital in view of the fact that adequate funding has been provided by his Department to provide such services; the action, if any, he intends to take to ensure that the service is reinstated without further delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5825/97]

Minister for Health (Mr. Noonan,

Limerick East): I am aware that there have been difficulties in providing an epidural service at Sligo General Hospital in the past. The desirability of continuing the service had to be reviewed by the NorthWestern Health Board against a background of increasing demand shortly. The review involved discussions within the hospital in order to ensure that adequate and safe levels of medical cover are provided for the service. The recruitment process for additional junior anaesthetic staff is already in hand in anticipation of the revised service arrangements within the hospital being finalised.

The completion of the review and the appointment of the additional staff will mean that a modern epidural service will be available to mothers in the Sligo catchment area in the coming months.