Vol. 514 No. 3
214 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is only one echo machine shared between Beaumont, the Mater and Blanchardstown hospitals; the proposals, if any, he has to purchase new machines for the hospitals; the waiting time for patients to get an appointment to be tested on the machine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4193/00]
I have had inquiries made of the relevant hospital authorities and have been informed that the Mater Misericordiae Hospital has two echo cardiographic machines. Beaumont Hospital has one echo machine which has been in operation since 1986 and is due to be replaced by a new machine within the next two weeks. The hospital is also purchasing a second echo machine, which it hopes will be in place in March 2000. At present James Connolly Memorial Hospital does not have an echo machine on site and patients are transferred to the Mater Hospital when required. The hospital has, however identified the need for such a machine on site and the additional funding of £160,000 will be included in a submission on priority equipment needs to my Department. On receipt of this submission, it will be considered within the context of the hospital's overall priorities for the year 2000 and the many competing demands within the acute sector.
