Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 April 2004
293 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Health and Children his plans for the appointment of a second consultant rheumatologist to the Western Health Board; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is a four year waiting list for arthritis services in the Western Health Board area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10536/04]
View answerThe expansion of existing rheumatology services is initially a matter for the Western Health Board, based on relative priority accorded to the service by the board and in the light of available funding.
The funding allocated by Government to the health services in 2004 is designed to maintain the existing level of service in overall terms. The economic position in 2004 is reflected in the approach taken by the Government to spending Estimates in the health sector. The overall pattern in the health service is one of consolidation in 2004, this follows a number of years of rapid expansion and development of services. As the Deputy is aware, there has been significant additional investment in acute hospital services in the Western Health Board in recent years.
The board has prepared a strategic plan for the development of rheumatology services in the region which proposes the appointment of additional rheumatologists in the region. I agree that there is a need for additional investment in rheumatology services both in the west and in other regions. However, the question of funding for additional posts in the west may only be considered in the context of available resources and the Western Health Board's overall priorities for services in 2004 in the acute hospital sector.
Comhairle na nOspidéal, which is the statutory body with responsibility for regulating the number and type of appointments of consultant medical staff in hospitals providing services under the Health Acts, carried out a review of rheumatology and rehabilitation services in 1995 and, in the context of this, is currently examining the Irish Society of Rheumatology, ISR, report, rheumatology manpower report 2002, which examines the current state of rheumatology services and identifies the resources needed to develop this service. Future planning requirements will be considered by myself and my Department in the context of the Comhairle examination.
294 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children the criteria used by the health boards in the appointment of persons to co-ordinate the home help services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10539/04]
View answerThe information sought by the Deputy is not readily available in my Department. My Department has written to the chief executive officers of the Eastern Regional Health Authority and the health boards and asked them to supply me with the relevant details, which will be forwarded to the Deputy as a matter of urgency.
