Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 October 2004
140 Ms Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11 can only be offered an x-ray from their two local hospitals two months from the date of the request; if she will urgently examine the capacity of local hospitals to cope with such basic health care demands; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26543/04]
View answerResponsibility for the provision of health services to persons residing in counties Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow rests with the Eastern Regional Health Authority. My Department has, therefore, asked the regional chief executive of the authority to investigate the matter raised by the Deputy and to reply to her directly.
141 Ms Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if, in view of the continuing shortage of step down facilities for civilian patients, she will review the decision not to proceed with the proposal to use St. Bricin’s Hospital, Dublin 7, for this purpose; and will she provide an updated estimate of the cost of this proposal. [26544/04]
View answerSt Bricin's Hospital is owned and operated by the Department of Defence. A study was undertaken in recent years by the Eastern Regional Health Authority to examine the feasibility of using facilities at St Bricin's Hospital for public patients. Following detailed consideration and advice from technical experts the authority concluded that the proposal was not viable. My Department is not aware of any change to this position. However, the regional chief executive of the authority has been asked for an update and I will revert to the Deputy at an early date.
