Vol. 538 No. 5
127 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Health and Children the reasons Beaumont Hospital's out-patient blood unit was closed for all of the Easter Bank Holiday weekend; if this is standard practice; his views on this length of intermission in service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18442/01]
Responsibility for the funding of services at Beaumont Hospital rests with the Eastern Regional Health Authority. However, I understand that the phlebotomy department at the hospital is available to meet the out-patient clinic requirements from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday. A service is also provided for general practitioners during these hours. The out-patient service is not available at weekends or bank holidays, including Good Friday.
The phlebotomy service is available to hospital in-patients every day of the year including Christmas Day and New Year's Day and a service for emergency blood tests is available through the accident and emergency department at all times.
