asked the Minister for Health if it is his intention to make available to each county hospital the services of (a) a consulting surgeon, (b) a consulting physician, (c) an ophthalmic surgeon, (d) an ear, nose and throat specialist, (e) a consultant obstetrician, and (f) a radiologist.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Hospital Medical Services.
County hospitals services are provided by local authorities.
The services of a surgeon and of a physician are available in each county hospital.
Regional radiologists have been appointed in two regions, covering 11 counties and one county borough. Three additional appointments to cover nine counties and two county boroughs will be made shortly. I hope that the services of regional radiologists will be available in all areas soon.
A regional obstetrician-gynæcologist has been appointed to serve the Counties of Sligo, Leitrim and the southern portion of Donegal. Consideration is being given to the making of further appointments of this nature.
The services of ophthalmic surgeons and ear, nose and throat specialists will be available in each county. These specialists will attend clinics and their services will also be available at the county hospitals for routine work, as required. It is proposed, however, that major work of this nature will be done in special departments in the regional hospitals or in the specialist eye, ear, nose and throat hospitals.
Many of the senior staff of county hospitals are empowered to obtain the services of a consultant whenever they consider it necessary to do so.