Vol. 391 No. 6
asked the Minister for Health if he will make a statement giving details of any guarantees, undertakings or promises he has entered into with any Member of this Dail since the general election in relation to the urgently needed upgrading and improvement in hospital services in County Roscommon, in relation to the County Hospital in Roscommon town, the Sacred Heart Geriatric Care Hospital in Roscommon and St. Patrick's Psychiatric Hospital, Castlerea.
71.
asked the Minister for Health if he will give details of any understanding or agreement between himself and Deputy Tom Foxe in recent weeks in securing his support on the election of Taoiseach; the consultations, if any, which took place with the various health authorities; if he will give an assurance that the effect of any such deal will not be to diminish acute hospital facilities elsewhere in the region; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 70 and 71 together.
Deputy Foxe had discussions during which he made his views known with regard to certain hospital services in County Roscommon. The acute medical and surgical services will be continued at Roscommon County Hospital and, as already planned, services there will be enhanced by the location at the hospital of the acute psychiatric unit for the county. Services at Castlerea Psychiatric Hospital will be continued for as long as it is necessary to do so.
I am meeting the Chairman and the CEO of the Western Health Board today with the Secretary of my Department to discuss the development of health services in their board area. To a large extent Deputy Foxe's views are in line with our thinking on desirable developments as increased resources become available.
