Vol. 517 No. 3
171 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children when the Western Health Board will appoint orthopaedic consultants to Mayo General Hospital in view of the fact that phase II is almost complete; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9535/00]
I understand from the Western Health Board that the contract for the major phase 11 development of Mayo General Hospital incorporating a 33 bed orthopaedic unit commenced in January 1999. The project will be completed in three distinct stages, the first of which is due to be handed over to the board in July 2000. The orthopaedic unit is included in stage 3 which is scheduled for completion in December 2001. It will be intended to make the necessary orthopaedic appointments during the commissioning process that will follow the completion of these new units.
