Vol. 501 No. 6
248 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Health and Children the steps, if any, he will take to appoint an accident and emergency consultant to the new department of accident and emergency at the Longford and Westmeath general hospital in view of the fact there are 38,000 attendances at the hospital which warrant this appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6826/99]
249 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has received an application from Longford and Westmeath general hospital for a third obstetrician, a third paediatrician, a fourth physician and a fourth consultant; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the request for these additional posts is justified by the numbers treated at the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6827/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 248 and 249 together.
The Midland Health Board's service plan for 1999 which has been submitted to my Department envisages a review of obstetric and accident and emergency services within the region. Both of these reviews will commence shortly.
Significant progress will be made in medical appointments at Longford and Westmeath general hospital during 1999. In January of this year, additional registrar posts were created in obstetrics and gynaecology and paediatrics. A third consultant surgeon and third consultant radiologist are scheduled to take up appointments on a permanent basis this year.
The board's service plan does not provide for further consultant appointments outside those already mentioned.
