Vol. 566 No. 1
116 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Health and Children if neither his Department nor the Southern Health Board has plans to reduce the maternity services at Tralee General Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11939/03]
These issues arise from press coverage of the work of the national task force on medical staffing. I established the task force in February 2002 to make recommendations about how best to organise hospital medical staffing within the hospital system, having regard to the requirement of the European Working Time Directive to reduce the average weekly working hours of non-consultant hospital doctors. The task force is examining the role and structure of acute hospitals so that they can provide the best possible service for patients. The task force's report is still in preparation and has not yet been finalised. I understand the report will not make any specific recommendations relating to Tralee General Hospital.
