Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 4 Apr 2001

Vol. 534 No. 1

Written Answers. - Hospital Services.

P. J. Sheehan

Question:

49 Mr. Sheehan asked the Minister for Health and Children when he will approve the creation of a second consultant surgeon post and a second consultant anaesthetist post at Bantry General Hospital, County Cork; and when will both positions be filled. [9066/01]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

The provision of services at Bantry General Hospital is a matter for the Southern Health Board in the first instance.

I do not have any application from the board for financial clearance for the creation of new consultant posts for Bantry General Hospital. However I understand that, at the request of the Southern Health Board, Comhairle na nOspidéal has established a committee to discuss with the board the question of future consultant staffing at the hospital.

I will consider any proposal for additional consultant appointments in the context of available resources and the priority accorded to it by the board with a view to ensuring that services to patients at Bantry General Hospital are in line with principles of best practice.

My Department gave approval last year for the filling of an additional 42 posts across medical, nursing, non-nursing and paramedical areas during the period 2000-01.

The Southern Health Board is proposing to make £3 million available for developments at the hospital from funding provided under the national development plan. A site appraisal has been completed and detailed plans for the future development of the hospital are presently being prepared.

The Deputy will be aware that a national review of bed capacity in both the acute and non-acute hospital sectors is being conducted by my Department in conjunction with the Department of Finance and in consultation with the social partners. I presented the interim findings of the review to Government last year and identified a range of immediate investment proposals aimed at addressing identified service difficulties.

The second phase of the national bed review is now under way and involves the development of a longer term investment strategy for the acute and non-acute sectors. The review will also involve a detailed assessment of need, including an analysis of future bed requirements by medical and surgical speciality. This phase of the review is due to be completed in April 2001.