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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 1 Jun 1978

Vol. 307 No. 3

Ceisteanna—Questions . Oral Answers . - Federation of Roscommon and Portiuncula Hospitals .

18.

asked the Minister for Health the date of the most recent meeting which took place regarding the proposal to federate the Roscommon and Portiuncula hospitals; the progress that was made at this meeting; if he is now in a position to state the future prospects of the maternity section of the Roscommon hospital and, particularly, the sanctioning and appointment of an obstetrician-gynaecologist; and if the federation date of 1 July 1978 will be met.

: The most recent meeting of the group comprising representatives of the Western Health Board, Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe and Comhairle na nOspidéal under the chairmanship of my Department took place on 28 April 1978. Agreement has been reached on most aspects of the federation but the position regarding maternity services remains to be resolved. The Western Health Board met on 12 and 26 May to examine the position regarding these services and the board are actively pursuing the matter. It is expected that 1 July 1978 will be the operative date of the federation in relation to these services on which agreement has been reached.

: Does the Minister realise that this is a cause of serious concern to all the people of Roscommon and Leitrim?

: It is also a matter of serious concern to me.

: Surely they are entitled to full maternity services in Roscommon hospital?

: The question of what is the best manner of serving the people of the area in regard to maternity services has been the subject of long, protracted discussions, as the Deputy knows. Hopefully, these discussions will soon come to fruition, but it is very important that we arrive at the right solution.

: Would the Minister not agree that the right solution would be the sanctioning of the appointment of an obstetrician-gynaecologist?

: The question of the level of maternity services to be provided in Roscommon is a complex one and is bound up with the federation arrangements which have to be made between Portiuncula and Roscommon. The Western Health Board, the Portiuncula authorities, my Department and Comhairle na nOspidéal have been actively engaged for some time now in seeking to devise a solution to the problem which will be acceptable to all parties. I am hoping that the new arrangement will go into operation on 1 July next.

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