asked the Minister for Health what is the present position about the appointment of a dispensary doctor at Williamstown, County Galway; and if it is proposed that a resident dispensary doctor will be appointed there.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Galway Dispensary Doctor.
30.
The permanent office of district medical officer at Williamstown is vacant since last July. I understand that the health authority's first advertisement for a temporary resident appointment was unsuccessful and that the post has recently been re-advertised. Meanwhile, a service is being provided by a dispensary doctor from another district.
Is the Minister aware that the appointee lives 18 miles from Williamstown and that the service being provided in that district is not altogether satisfactory for the people whom Williamstown dispensary district is supposed to serve? Is the Minister further aware that the dispensary doctor for Williamstown has also to cover Ballymoe, Glinsk and Glenamaddy and that there is no dispensary doctor resident in Dunmore either at present? That is a very big area to be left without a doctor for so long. I should like to let the Minister know——
The Deputy may not continue his speech at Question Time.
Is the Minister aware that recently a patient who got sick during the night travelled to four different towns in that district seeking medical aid and it was not forthcoming? I should like to know what are the Minister's plans for appointing a resident medical dispensary doctor in Williamstown?
I am glad to be able to tell the Deputy that there were two applications in response to the second advertisement, so, the situation in Williamstown, which I accept is not satisfactory, should be straightened out very shortly.
I would appeal to the Minister to ensure that one of these applicants is appointed as soon as possible.
I will be very glad. The quicker the better for me.
Before you pass to the next business, Sir, may I draw your attention to the fact that as far as I know there seems to be some fault in the bells? The bell did not ring in the Restaurant when it was sounded for Questions. It may be some minor fault in the wiring which might be attended to.
Perhaps it is like the clocks.
The clocks also are rather eccentric.
The bells were rung. The fault may be outside the Chamber.
It may be some mechanical fault.