asked the Minister for Health the date on which consultant cover was suspended for maternity services at Bantry Hospital; the number of infants born in the hospital since; the present arrangements for an in-patient service and out-patient service at the hospital; and if he will make a statment on the matter.
Written Answers. - Bantry (Cork) Hospital.
28.
The maternity unit at Bantry General Hospital closed on 16 April 1983. Prior to the closure of the unit the maternity service was provided by the consultant physician who became ill and was unable to continue to provide the service. There has never been a consultant obstetrician-gynaecologist based at the hospital. Since April 1983, 68 births have taken place at the hospital and these were regarded as emergency cases.
Following the closure of the maternity unit I requested the health board to ensure that provision is made for scheduled consultant out-patient maternity clinics at the hospital and the board are endeavouring to do this. As the Deputy may be aware, this provision became a matter of dispute between the board and certain consultants and was referred to the interpretation committee under the common contract. The committee has issued its findings and the board are now pursuing the issue. I am also keeping the matter under review.