The future of the surgical wing of Bantry general hospital and the future of Bantry Hospital in general is an important matter.
Is it true the future of surgical services in the hospital might be in danger? Will the Minister give a categorical assurance to the House and to me that surgical services will continue in Bantry General Hospital because rumours to the contrary have been circulating widely throughout the length and breadth of west Cork and south Kerry? Will the Minister explain why a second surgeon's position has been left vacant for the past 12 years since the former surgeon, Mr. Baker, retired 12 years ago? Will the Minister explain why a second anaesthetist's position has been left vacant for the same 12 year period?
I understand that Comhairle na n-Ospidéal has a recognised policy that all surgical hospitals should have the services of two surgeons and two anaesthetists. Will the Minister explain why the two positions in Bantry General Hospital have not been filled for those past 12 years? Will he authorise the filling of the those two vacant positions immediately?
I need not remind the Minister of the importance of Bantry General Hospital to the vast hinterland of west Cork and south Kerry, embracing a sprawling area from Courtmacsherry in the east to Waterville in County Kerry. The Minister is familiar with the vast terrain that makes up my constituency of Cork South West and South Kerry, the constituency of my colleague, Deputy Healy-Rae, who also depends on the services of this hospital for the people of his area.
I urge the Minister to give me a categorical assurance that the surgical services in Bantry General Hospital will continue and that the two positions will be filled. I urge the Minister to record his intention to take immediate steps to fill those two positions, thereby securing the surgical department of this hospital. I do not want Bantry General Hospital downgraded to a geriatric unit.
The area is so large that patients could die in transit to University Hospital in Cork. Parts of my constituency in the Beara peninsula are 125 miles from Cork city. The Mizen peninsula, where I live myself, is almost 100 miles from Cork city and the Muintir Bháire peninsula likewise. It is of paramount importance that the surgical wing in Bantry General Hospital is retained. I urge the Minister to give me that assurance.
When I raised this matter more than 12 months ago I was given an assurance by the Minister of State, Deputy Moffatt, that there was not a proposal to discontinue general surgical services at Bantry General Hospital. I hope the Minister will reassure me of that tonight. Dr. Moffatt also told me on that occasion that the future role of surgery will be explored in the context of the plan being prepared by the Southern Health Board. That is a devious plan. I have no faith it that plan and I want the Minister to assure the House that Bantry Hospital will continue to serve the areas of south west Cork and south Kerry with a surgical service and that he will appoint a second surgeon, two consultants and two anaesthetists to the hospital immediately.
I do not want to take "No" for an answer. Actions speak louder than words. I do not want the people of my constituency to live in fear of their hospital closing down. The University Hospital in Cork is bursting at the seams, with patients from my constituency spending two days on trolleys while they wait for beds. Down in Bantry we have an excellent hospital with excellent facilities which cannot function adequately for the want of staff. Where is the Celtic tiger? The Government has millions to squander all over the country but the Minister ignores the fact that south west Cork needs facilities. The future of Bantry Hospital as a major surgical unit must be assured.
I have been told the Minister for Finance, Deputy McCreevy, was successful in having Naas County Hospital maintained recently.