Vol. 502 No. 3
314 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the heart echo sound machine in the Mater Hospital, Dublin 7, is out of operation due to a lack of staff to operate it and all appointments are being put off until May 1999; and the plans, if any, he has to resolve this problem. [7647/99]
I have had inquiries made of the Mater Hospital authorities regarding this matter and they have advised me that one of the hospital's two heart echo sound machines broke down on the 26 February 1999 and was taken out of service. They also informed me that because of the large number of in-patients in the hospital who require this treatment, it was necessary to prioritise these patients and cancel out-patient appointments for the time being.
I understand that the hospital ordered a new heart echo sound machine on 26 February 1999 and the hospital authorities have been advised by the suppliers that they should expect to take delivery of this machine within six to eight weeks from the date of order.
The hospital authorities have assured me that as soon as this machine is installed and operational all out-patients who have had their appointments cancelled will be allocated new appointment dates.
