Vol. 481 No. 3
17 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will ensure that an epidural service is available to all women who require it in the Southern Health Board area in view of the fact that this service is currently only available to private patients generally. [15319/97]
95 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children when he will ensure that an epidural service is provided at the Erinville Maternity Hospital in Cork, in view of the fact that the stated policy of the Southern Health Board is that no epidural service will be available there until such time as a centralised gynaecological service is available in Cork city. [15318/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 17 and 95 together.
The provision of an epidural service is a matter for the Southern Health Board in the first instance. However, I have been advised by the board that, at present, there is a limited epidural service provided at both Erinville and St. Finbarr's Maternity Hospitals by consultant anaesthetists who have clinical sessions at both of these hospitals.
I have been further informed by the board that it is conscious of the difficulties which have arisen in the provision of a comprehensive obstetrics service, including epidural services, which are due to the current structure of the service. In 1993 the Southern Health Board drew attention to the difficulties which had arisen in the provision of a comprehensive obstetric service, including epidural services, because of the fragmentation of these services. In 1995 a submission was made to my Department recommending that the maternity and neonatology services should be amalgamated on the Cork University Hospital site. A project team has been established to prepare a brief for the amalgamated obstetric unit on the site of Cork University Hospital. This brief is nearing completion and approval has been given for the appointment of a design team in anticipation of proceeding to the next stage of this project.
In the meantime the Southern Health Board is examining the options available to enable the provision of an enhanced epidural service which will require the employment of additional anaesthetic staff at registrar level. The board has stated that this development will have to be considered against the other competing priorities in its area.
