Vol. 520 No. 1
203 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has received correspondence (details supplied) regarding the level of ENT and radiology services at Mallow General Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15083/00]
204 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will ensure that the ENT consultant post at Mallow General Hospital will continue to be a full time appointment. [15084/00]
205 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will arrange for the appointment of a second radiologist at Mallow General Hospital. [15086/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 203 to 205, inclusive, together.
The provision of hospital services, the identification of priorities and the appointment of additional staff is a matter for the Southern Health Board in the first instance.
I understand that the Southern Health Board is taking steps to ensure that an appropriate level of radiologist cover is available. I will consider an application for the post of a second consultant radiologist in the context of available resources and the priority accorded to it by the board.
In regard to the ENT service at Mallow General Hospital I understand that the Southern Health Board has sought the in put of Comhairle na nOspidéal with regard to the development of this service. Comhairle na nOspidéal is the statutory body responsible for regulating the number and type of appointments of consultant medical staffs and such other officers or staffs as may be prescribed in hospitals engaged in the provision of services. I will consider any proposals that the Southern Health Board may put forward in the light of these discussions with a view to ensuring that the service to patients at Mallow General Hospital is developed in line with the principles of best practice in this area.
I am fully committed to building on recent investment in Mallow General Hospital to allow the hospital to continue to provide a high quality level of care to its patients, in line with the priorities identified by the Southern Health Board. The recent provision of funding to open 13 additional medical beds at the hospital represents a major investment in the future of Mallow General Hospital and clearly emphasises the Government's commitment to the hospital.
