asked the Minister for Health the proposals he has for the provision of further orthopaedic beds in the Western Health Board area; their location; and time scale envisaged for their provision.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Orthopaedic Bed Provision.
4.
There are no proposals for an increase in the number of orthopaedic beds in the Western Health Board area. At the moment, the orthopaedic unit at Merlin Park Hospital, Galway, also serves the North-Western Health Board area. The demands on these beds will be eased by the provision of a 60-bed orthopaedic unit at Sligo General Hospital to serve the North-Western Health Board area. Tenders have been received by the health board for this project and it is expected that construction work will commence shortly. It will take about 18 months to complete.