Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 25 Jun 2002

Vol. 553 No. 5

Written Answers. - Hospital Services.

Jerry Cowley

Question:

294 Dr. Cowley asked the Minister for Health and Children if Comhairle Na nOspideáil was given approval for the appointment of three orthopaedic surgeons to the Mayo General Hospital; whether this is not a dedicated service for County Mayo, but a shared commitment with County Galway comprising nine hours to County Galway and 24 hours to County Mayo per week; his views on whether this is a poor substitute and a watering down of a full and dedicated orthopaedic service for County Mayo; if a dedicated orthopaedic service for County Mayo will be implemented by ordering a re-statement of the terms of the proposed orthopaedic surgeon appointments; if a commitment will be given that the necessary six bedded high dependency unit will be provided as essential back-up for the Mayo orthopaedic unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14525/02]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

The development of orthopaedic services at Mayo General Hospital is a matter for the Western Health Board. My Department has asked the chief executive officer of the board to write directly to the Deputy with the information he has requested.

Jerry Cowley

Question:

295 Dr. Cowley asked the Minister for Health and Children if a County Mayo rheumatology unit, staffed by adequate consultant rheumatologists will be provided as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14526/02]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

As the Deputy is aware the provision of health services at Mayo General Hospital is the statutory responsibility in the first instance of the Western Health Board. The board has informed me that there is one consultant rheumatologist at present in the Western Health Board based at Merlin Park Regional Hospital and services for patients from the Mayo area are provided by this consultant.

I understand from the Western Health Board that the provision of a consultant rheumatologist at Mayo General Hospital is being considered in the context of the development of the orthopaedic services at Mayo.

The board is preparing a strategic plan for the development of rheumatology services. This strategic plan is at a very advanced stage and will be placed before the Western Health Board for consideration and adoption within the next two to three months.

The further development of rheumatology services in the Western Health Board region will be considered in the context of additional funding available for acute hospital service developments in 2003 and the associated competing priorities.