Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 4 Nov 1997

Vol. 482 No. 3

Written Answers. - Consultant Appointments.

Paul McGrath

Question:

228 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of consultant surgeons serving Longford-Westmeath and Laois-Offaly areas in the Midland Health Board; the population resident in each of those catchment areas; the way in which these surgeon to population ratios compare with other areas of similar population around the country; his views on the obvious shortfall in surgeon numbers in the Longford-Westmeath area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18084/97]

Paul McGrath

Question:

229 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of surgical procedures carried out in the Longford-Westmeath General Hospital in each of the past five years; the number of surgeons and anaesthetists responsible for carrying out those surgical procedures; if he will compare this throughput of patients in this area with comparable figures from the LaoisOffaly area; his views on the very heavy workload for the medical practitioners concerned at the Longford-Westmeath General Hospital; the plans, if any, he has to appoint additional personnel to this hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18085/97]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 228 and 229 together.

The information requested by the Deputy in relation to the number of consultant surgeons and anaesthetists and the population of the Midland Health Board area is set out below. This excludes the specialist surgeons, of which there are five in Tullamore General Hospital — three orthopaedic surgeons and two ENT surgeons.

In relation to the data on ratios sought by the Deputy, it is very difficult to make valid comparisons between regions. Even if populations were similar between regions, there are significant differences in case complexity, age and health needs. It is, therefore, inadvisable to make comparisons of staffing ratios and workload between hospitals or regions without significant qualifications to the data presented.

In relation to surgical procedures, the number of in-patients discharged from the specialty of general surgery in each of the Midland Health Board's acute general hospitals is set out below for the period 1992 to 1996. In addition, it is important to take account of the growing number of day cases in each hospital. The number of surgical day cases is also included below for the same period.

With regard to staffing and developments in the Longford-Westmeath area, the Deputy will be aware that Phase 2A of the development at Longford-Westmeath General Hospital has now been completed. The Midland Health Board estimates that it will require an additional 80 staff, including consultants, to make the new developments fully operational. I am considering how best to commisson these facilities in the context of available funding for 1998.

The Deputy may wish to note that my Department has recently commenced a review of medical manpower needs in the health services. This is being carried out in conjunction with the relevant professional bodies.

Consultant Surgeon and Anaesthetist Staffing, Midland Health Board Hospitals

	General Hospital Portlaoise	General Hospital Tullamore	Longford/Westmeath General Hospital
General Surgeons	2	2	2
Anaesthetists	3	4	3

Midland Health Board Population by Catchment Area

Laois/Offaly	111,878
Longford/Westmeath	93,374

Surgical In-Patient Discharges, Midland Health Board Acute Hospitals 1992-1996.

	General Hospital Portlaoise	General Hospital Tullamore	Longford/Westmeath General Hospital
	In-Patients	Day Cases	In-Patients	Day Cases	In-Patients	Day Cases
1992	2,143	1,478	1,935	628	3,356	1,050
1993	2,383	1,492	1,860	722	2,927	1,053
1994	2,497	1,557	2,014	822	2,880	1,094
1995	2,212	1,642	1,992	819	2,941	973
1996	1,997	1,678	2,229	918	3,064	1,147