Bernard Allen
Question:183 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children the steps he proposes to take to deal with the situation where a shortage of nurses could hit renal cover at St. James's Hospital. [14136/01]
Written Answers - Nursing Staff.
Services for eligible patients at St. James's Hospital are provided under an arrangement with the Eastern Regional Health Authority. I have had inquiries made of the authority into the matter raised by the Deputy and I am informed that the nursing shortage in the acute dialysis service was a temporary one brought about by nursing staff annual leave commitments combined with a high demand for the service. This situation will be remedied next week when the service will revert to its full nursing staff complement.