asked the Minister for Health whether he is aware of the serious position arising in Kilgarvan dispensary district, County Kerry from the resignation of the district medical officer; if in view of the concern of the medical card holders of the whole district he will take steps to have the vacancy filled immediately by the Southern Health Board; and if he will make a statement regarding the future of Kilgarvan dispensary district.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Kerry Medical Officer Vacancy.
11.
I am aware that the temporary district medical officer for the Kilgarvan area has signified his intention to resign and has not allowed his name to appear on the list of doctors currently being circulated to all medical card holders in the region for the purposes of making a selection under the new choice of doctor scheme to commence on 1st October next.
The Southern Health Board intend reviewing the needs of the Kilgarvan area after eligible persons in the health board area in general have chosen their doctors. The board should be in a position to do this within the next few months and in the circumstances there is no action I could usefully take.