Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 June 2004
166 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children if a cataract operation for a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny will be expedited in view of the fact that their general practitioner has deemed them an urgent case; the reason there is such a delay for this type of operation; the action his Department is taking; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17997/04]
View answerThe provision of hospital services for people living in County Kilkenny is a matter for the South Eastern Health Board. My Department has, therefore, asked the chief executive officer of the board to investigate the position in relation to this case and to reply directly to the Deputy.
167 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children when staff were appointed to the elderly assessment unit in Mayo General Hospital; if he will report on the contracts which the staff have been given; when this unit will be opened and operational; and the reason this unit has not been opened to date. [18014/04]
View answerThe provision of services at Mayo General Hospital is a matter for the Western Health Board. My Department has asked the chief executive officer of the board to investigate the position in relation to the issues raised and to reply directly to the Deputy.
168 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children if the Western Health Board will give a firm and concrete commitment to opening the orthopaedic unit at Mayo General Hospital, Castlebar, County Mayo, on 1 September 2004. [18015/04]
View answerThe 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 and took 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. These 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 in relation to commencing orthopaedic services at Mayo General Hospital, particularly in relation to the effect 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.
