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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 12 Mar 1997

Vol. 476 No. 3

Written Answers. - ENT Services.

Brendan Smith

Question:

55 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the urgent need to provide adequate ENT services at Cavan General Hospital; the progress, if any, to date in relation to the need to appoint consultant ENT surgeons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7042/97]

Limerick East): The North-Eastern Health Board has adopted a policy to develop ENT services within the region and is currently in discussion with my Department with a view to introducing a range of regional specialist services on a phased basis over the coming years. The board's proposals will be considered within my Department in the context of competing demands and priorities for acute hospital services.

In the meantime, the board has contracted inpatient ENT services from Northern Ireland for the Cavan-Monaghan area and consultants from Northern Ireland provide out-patient services and day procedures at both Cavan and Monaghan hospitals.

The Deputy will wish to know that under the waiting list initiative my Department approved an allocation of £45,360 in 1995 and £58,920 in 1996 in respect of additional ENT procedures at Cavan-Monaghan hospital. As a result of the moneys allocated under the initiative, the average waiting time for surgery at Cavan-Monaghan hospital has been reduced to six months. This represents significant progress in the reduction of waiting lists and demonstrates the Government's concern to ensure that the necessary resources are provided to improve waiting times for treatment.
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