Seanad Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 2 Jun 1999

Vol. 159 No. 14

Adjournment Matters. - Hospital Services.

Mr. Burke

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Moffatt. I am sure he is aware of the issues I intend to raise. The Arthritis Foundation of Ireland recently set up a branch in County Mayo and it is campaigning for the appointment of a rheumatologist at Mayo General Hospital in Castlebar. As the Minister of State is aware, phase two of the hospital is well under way and, hopefully, will be open in the next few years.

The appointment of a rheumatologist in the hospital is urgently required. Figures show that one is seven families in the county is affected by rheumatoid arthritis. There are approximately 14,500 patients in County Mayo with arthritis, which is one of the highest levels in the country. On this basis alone, a rheumatologist should be located in County Mayo in the general hospital. At present the nearest place in which treatment can be carried out is Merlin Park Hospital in Galway. This involves round trips of up to 200 miles for people in some parts of County Mayo.

The Minister of State is aware of the vigorous campaign being run by the recently formed Mayo branch of the Arthritis Foundation of Ireland. The 14,500 people who suffer from arthritis include men, women and children many of whom have severe forms of rheumatoid arthritis. One should consider the burden placed on these people, some of whom must make round trips of 200 miles to Merlin Park Hospital. This puts great pressure on the patients and their families because the majority of them must be brought to and from the hospital.

Those who have campaigned for a rheumatologist at Mayo General Hospital, Castlebar hope that an appointment is made shortly. Everything is in place, the premises are available, all that is needed is funding for the position. The Minister will appreciate that the high level of arthritis in the county justifies providing extra funding through the Western Health Board for a rheumatologist. On behalf of the people of the county and the newly formed Mayo branch of the Arthritis Foundation of Ireland I ask that the Minister give serious consideration to appointing a rheumatologist, within the short term, to Mayo General Hospital.

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Dr. Moffatt)

I thank Senator Burke for raising this issue. On behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Cowen, I am glad of this opportunity to bring the House up to date on the current position of rheumatology in the Western Health Board area.

The provision of medical services at Mayo General Hospital is a matter for the Western Health Board in the first instance. I understand from the board that an assessment of the needs of the rheumatology service throughout the region is currently under way with a view to preparing a corporate strategic plan for the development of the service over the next five years. The board envisages the review is likely to point to a need to enhance these services. The needs of patients from the Mayo area will be taken fully into account in the course of the review process, as will the establishment of the new orthopaedic unit at Mayo General Hospital as part of phase two of the capital development, currently in train, as mentioned by Senator Burke.

Upon receipt of the completed strategic review my Department will be in a position to consider the case for making further investment in rheumatology services in the western region, in consultation with the Western Health Board and having regard to the competing demands on available resources. Having said that, the people of Mayo undoubtedly need a rheumatologist, preferably located at Mayo General Hospital. Phase two of the capital development will allow people with bone problems to be treated at the hospital for the first time. I hope that phase will be completed within the year. As the Senator said, many patients must travel long distances to Galway and Sligo. Rheumatology services in Galway also require improvement but that should not preclude the appointment of a rheumatologist in Castlebar. There is not much sense providing a good orthopaedic unit in the hospital without also providing the services of a rheumatologist. I support the Senator's efforts to secure this service for Mayo General Hospital and I am glad the Arthritis Foundation of Ireland has set up a branch in the county to further this cause.

Mr. Burke

I thank the Minister for his comments and I know he appreciates the position. I again urge him to ask his colleague, the Minister for Health and Children, to provide the service within the short term. The services will be provided when phase two is complete but perhaps something could be done sooner.