Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 June 2004
389 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Health and Children when he proposes to issue such approval of contracts as will enable an orthopaedic service to be provided at Castlebar Hospital; the access which exists for public patients in County Mayo orthopaedic surgery; if his attention has been drawn to the distress being created and the urgency which attaches to the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17432/04]
View answer395 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children the amount allocated in 2003 and 2004 regarding funding provided for the orthopaedic unit for Mayo General Hospital; and the areas the funding was spent on. [17468/04]
View answer396 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children the staff which have been appointed for the orthopaedic unit for Mayo General Hospital. [17469/04]
View answer397 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children when the orthopaedic unit in Mayo General Hospital will be opened and operational. [17470/04]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 389 and 395 to 397, inclusive, together.
The new 33-bed orthopaedic unit will be a particularly valuable addition to the hospital and of great benefit to the people of Mayo. Funding of €3.9 million has already been provided to the Western Health Board to allow for the opening of the orthopaedic service at Mayo General Hospital.
Currently one consultant orthopaedic surgeon has been recruited by the Western Health Board, the person taking up duty on 1 February 2004. The Western Health Board has informed me that discussions between the orthopaedic staff in Galway and Mayo are continuing in an effort to configure the best use of the facilities at Galway and Mayo. Those discussions are taking place within a framework to develop an overall integrated strategic and operational policy for orthopaedic services in the region.
As I have outlined above, substantial funding has already been provided to commission orthopaedic services at Mayo. The Western Health Board is currently in discussion with my Department on commencing orthopaedic services at Mayo General Hospital, particularly regarding the effect that the additional staffing required to commence services will have on the board's current employment ceiling.
I am committed to ensuring that the new orthopaedic services are established at Mayo General Hospital at the earliest possible date.
