Joe Sherlock
Question:507 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Health and Children the progress which is being made with regard to the appointment of additional consultant surgeons and physicians at Mallow General Hospital. [25608/03]
Written Answers. - Hospital Staff.
The provision of services at Mallow General Hospital is a matter for the Southern Health Board. My Department has asked the chief executive officer of the board to investigate the matter raised by the Deputy and to reply directly to him.
Joe Sherlock
Question:508 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Health and Children if, in view of the appointment of a second consultant radiologist at Mallow General Hospital, a CT service will be provided, taking into account such factors as benefit to patients and their families and the cost of the service as against the cost of the transfer of patients to Cork University Hospital by ambulance. [25609/03]
The provision of services at Mallow General Hospital is a matter for the Southern Health Board. My Department has asked the chief executive officer of the board to investigate the matter raised by the Deputy and to reply directly to him.
Joe Sherlock
Question:509 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Health and Children if it is proposed to appoint a consultant physician in geriatric medicine at Mallow General Hospital, together with additional posts required for the benefit of older people. [25611/03]
As the Deputy will be aware, the provision of services at Mallow General Hospital is a matter for the Southern Health Board in the first instance. The board has submitted an application to my Department for the approval of a consultant geriatrician post at the hospital. The post, which will be subject to approval by Comhairle na nOspidéal, is being considered in the context of available resources available to my Department and the priority accorded to it by the board.
The overall economic position in 2003 has had implications for all aspects of public investment, and this is reflected in the Estimates and budget adopted by the Government for 2003. Within this overall framework, however, some two thirds of all additional funding available for non-capital investment in services has been allocated to the health services. This funding is being applied largely to maintaining existing levels of service across all service programmes including services for older people.