Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 12 Dec 2000

Vol. 528 No. 1

Written Answers. - Departmental Investigations.

Pádraic McCormack

Question:

204 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will have investigations made into the death of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; if he will give an assurance that this will not happen again; if he will take the necessary steps to ensure that children and minors will not have to wait for necessary medical treatment following the inquest jury call for a protocol to be established; his views on the further call by the jury for the setting up of a neurological-neuro-surgical centre as soon as possible in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29340/00]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

First, I would like to express my sympathy to the family of the person in question. I am advised by the Eastern Regional Health Authority that the person in question was attending University College Hospital Galway since December 1999. I also understand that on 1 March 2000 an opinion regarding the management of this person was sought from Beaumont Hospital and that on 28 April 2000 an outpatient appointment for Beaumont Hospital was requested. Based on the clinical information and in the light of the findings of CT and MRI examinations, an outpatient appointment was scheduled for 15 June 2000. In relation to the findings of the inquest in this case, my department has requested the Eastern Regional Health Authority and the Western Health Board to consider the coroner's report. The Deputy will be aware that a second consultant neurologist for University College Hospital Galway was approved by my Department in January of this year.

Question No. 205 taken with No. 201.