Vol. 519 No. 4
84 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has examined any report of the level of staff services and facilities available at the pathology unit in Mayo General Hospital, Castlebar; if he will confirm that an application has been received for the appointment of a second pathologist to Mayo General Hospital; if he will indicate the priority given to this application by the Western Health Board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13975/00]
85 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Health and Children when the Smart Report will be implemented in full in respect of pathology services at Mayo General Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13976/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 84 and 85 together.
The provision of services in this instance is the statutory responsibility of the Western Health Board. The board has established a group to examine and recommend on an integrated laboratory service for the Western Health Board area. I understand that the report is expected within the next month and will be considered by the board at that stage.
My Department has not received an application for an additional consultant pathologist for Mayo General Hospital. I expect that the staffing requirements of the pathology service at the hospital will be considered by the group as part of their work.
86 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of cases where remains of deceased were removed from Mayo General Hospital to University College Hospital, Galway on the instructions of the Western Health Board for purposes of carrying out post-mortems in each of the past two years; if it is the intention of the health board to concentrate all pathology services in Galway as a consequence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13977/00]
The provision of services in this instance is the statutory responsibility of the Western Health Board. My Department has asked the chief executive officer of the board to reply to the Deputy directly.
87 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason the practice of having a pathologist travel from Galway to Mayo General Hospital to carry our post-mortems in the event of the Mayo based pathologist being on holidays or off duty has been terminated; the reason such instruction has been given; the further reason a similar pathology service applies in the case of Roscommon County Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13978/00]
The provision of services in this instance is the statutory responsibility of the Western Health Board. My Department has asked the chief executive officer of the board to reply to the Deputy directly.
