asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the danger to loss of life in Castlebar General Hospital consequent on proposed cutbacks by the Western Health Board; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Western Health Board Cutbacks.
377.
The revenue allocated to the Western Health Board for 1984 is £105.13 million which represents a cutback in real terms of 4 per cent. The board are required to make savings of £4.5 million in respect of existing services and it is a matter for the board to decide where these savings can be effected.
The board have informed me that cutbacks of £2.5 million have been levied on the acute general hospital services programme of which £0.4 million approximately has been apportioned to Castlebar General Hospital. Because of the present overcrowding and high activity levels at the hospital the board do not intend to close wards or reduce staffing at Castlebar. However, measures are being taken wherever possible to curtail expenditure through elimination of overtime, on call and weekend duty, curtailment of services outside normal working hours, elimination of locums etc. There is no indication that there will be any danger of loss of life in the hospital as emergency services will continue to be provided.