Vol. 533 No. 2
114 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will consider establishing an endocrinology unit at Longford-Westmeath General Hospital; and if he will appoint a consultant diabetologist to this hospital immediately. [8517/01]
On 23 October last the Midland Health Board submitted proposals to my Department for the creation of 21 additional consultant posts, including a post of consultant endocrinologist to be shared between the three board hospitals. These proposals are being considered by my Department in the light of competing demands and available resources.
The Deputy may be aware that the Midland Health Board has had a diabetes project in place for the last three years. As part of the project the board has been supporting a number of general practitioners to give a higher level of care to those with diabetes so that they can get a quality service in general practice and in many cases avoid having to go back to the hospital for repeat visits. The board plans to extend this project to include almost one quarter of general practices in its functional area by the end of 2001. It has also introduced specially trained diabetes nurses in each hospital and has been raising the awareness of the problem among clinicians.
115 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will direct the South Western Area Health Board to review the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 14. [8526/01]
The provision of health services in the Dublin area is a matter for the Eastern Regional Health Authority. I have asked the regional chief executive of the authority to investigate this case and respond directly to the Deputy as a matter of urgency.
