Vol. 557 No. 6
160 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children if the hospice unit in the Sacred Heart Hospital, Castlebar, has been reopened; if not, when it will be reopened; the reason for the hold up in this regard; the reason it is not open; and the response in relation to the advertisement placed in the papers earlier in 2002 for personnel. [23020/02]
The provision of health services in County Mayo is the responsibility of the Western Health Board. My Department has made inquiries from the board which has advised that the hospice, which consists of two palliative care beds, is not open as it is not possible to provide the required level of service without 24 hour medical cover. The board has advised that the response to the previous advertisement recruiting a medical officer was unsuccessful. I understand arrangements are being made to have the medical officer's position re-advertised as soon as possible.
