Vol. 548 No. 2
275 Mr. N. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children the measures he intends to take to resolve the situation at a hospital (details supplied) in County Cork where specific test results have not been made available since September 2001; and if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the health of many patients may be jeopardised by this delay. [4763/02]
As the provision of services at Mallow General Hospital is a matter for the Southern Health Board in the first instance, my Department has asked the chief executive officer at the board to deal with the specific points raised and to reply directly to the Deputy as a matter of urgency.
I am aware that there have been some difficulties in relation to radiology services at Mallow General Hospital. The Southern Health Board is addressing the deficit in radiology services created by the retirement of a permanent consultant radiologist at the hospital. I understand that the board has a temporary consultant radiologist in place since mid October 2001 providing 7.5 sessions per week. Radiology services have been augmented by the recruitment of another temporary consultant radiologist from the end of January 2002 which should result in much improved radiology services at the hospital.
