asked the Minister for Health if he will make a statement regarding the proposed closure of public wards in the Roscommon county hospital during the summer months and general cut backs in hospital services at Roscommon hospital.
Written Answers. - Roscommon Hospital.
409.
This is a matter for the Western Health Board in the first instance. The board have informed me that they do not intend to close public wards in Roscommon Hospital during the summer months. Cutbacks will be made in the hospital by the reduction or elimination of locum staff, reduction of manning levels and the reduction of the level of emergency services, on-call and stand-by. The board have explained the effects of these cuts and requested the co-operation of general practitioners and members of the general public in reducing the demand for services, by means of advertisements in the local press and have indicated that emergency cases will continue to be dealt with.
410.
asked the Minister for Health if he has reached a decision in relation to the re-appointment of a consultant paediatrician in Roscommon County Hospital in view of his inspection of the hospital on 30 April 1984 and consultations with the hospital action committee and others regarding this matter.
I indicated to the Western Health Board in November last that I was disposed to agree to the appointment of a consultant paediatrician to Roscommon County Hospital on condition that arrangements could be made to provide adequate cover for Roscommon when the consultant would be absent on off duty week-ends and other short periods of leave. It has not proved possible in the meantime to arrange such cover.
Moreover, the Western Health Board is claiming to be experiencing serious difficulties in maintaining existing services within its 1984 revenue allocation, cannot open new facilities for which there is a high priority and it would now be unrealistic for me to sanction such an additional service in these circumstances.
411.
asked the Minister for Health the circumstances surrounding the long delay in the appointment of an obstetrician/gynaecologist and back up staff in the maternity wing of the county hospital, Roscommon; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I would refer the Deputy to our previous full discussion of this matter on Tuesday 6 December 1983. (Official Report —Volume 346, No. 6, Question No. 16, columns 1059-1062). The position is still substantially the same as outlined at that time but in the meantime the Western Health Board claims to be experiencing serious problems in maintaining existing services within its 1984 revenue allocation, cannot open new facilities for which there is a high priority, and in these circumstances it would seem that it will not be in a position to provide for such a new service.