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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 25 Mar 2003

Vol. 563 No. 4

Written Answers - Cardiac Services.

Michael Ring

Question:

444 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children if a consultant cardiologist will be appointed to Mayo General Hospital. [7883/03]

Michael Ring

Question:

445 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of staff involved within the cardiac rehabilitation department in Mayo General Hospital; and the number of people availing of phase 3 of his Department's programme in 2002 and to date in 2003. [7884/03]

Michael Ring

Question:

446 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children the funding which had been given for the phase 3 programme within the cardiac rehabilitation department in Mayo General Hospital for 2003, if funding has been used; and if so, when more funding will be provided. [7885/03]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 444 to 446, inclusive, together.

Based on advice from the advisory forum on cardiovascular health, in 2000, my Department established a joint working group on consultant cardiology requirements to review, in the context of Building Healthier Hearts, the existing service provision and identify any shortfall at national and regional levels in the total complement of consultant cardiology posts.

In May 2001, the joint working group identified 25 additional priority consultant cardiology posts, including two in the Western Health Board, WHB.

Funding from the cardiovascular health strategy in 2002 and 2003 has provided for the appointment of 17 of the 25 priority posts, including the two WHB posts identified. The WHB plans to make these two appointments in the University College Hospital, Galway, where the necessary infrastructure-facilities and supports are in place to support these appointments. However, the additional cardiologists will provide a service to the whole of the Western Health Board region, including developing linkages with Mayo General Hospital.

There are currently two professionals employed in the cardiac rehabilitation department in Mayo General Hospital, a cardiac rehabilitation co-ordinator at CNM11 grade and a dietician. Funding in the region of €82,000 has been allocated to the cardiac rehabilitation department at Mayo General Hospital in 2003. A total of 97 people availed of the service from its commencement in March 2002 to March 2003.

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