asked the Minister for Health the projected costings for the setting up of an open-heart surgery unit at Cork Regional Hospital.
18.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cork Open Heart Surgery Unit.
17.
asked the Minister for Health if finance will be made available to the Southern Health Board for the setting up of an open-heart surgery unit at Cork Regional Hospital.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to answer Questions Nos. 17 and 18 together.
Comhairle na nOspidéal issued a report on cardio-thoracic surgery in December 1981. The report, which deals with the future organisation of cardio-thoracic surgery on a national basis includes a recommendation for the development of an open-heart surgery unit at Cork Regional Hospital.
I am at present considering the recommendations of the report and until that is completed I am not in a position to give details regarding the funding of the establishment of a unit at Cork Regional Hospital.
The question I asked was in relation to the long waiting list. Serious allegations have been made about people waiting for long periods. Can the Minister say how many people from the southern region are awaiting surgery in Dublin? Since it takes an estimated four years to set up a unit, would the Minister consider advertising for a consultant surgeon for Cork this year?
I agree with the Deputy on the need for a unit in Cork. As he will appreciate, it is a matter of considerable cost, but I am anxious to have it established as soon as I get the report completed and when the resources for it have been provided. I do not have the figures in regard to patients from Cork awaiting attention in Dublin.