The provision of orthopaedic services in the General Hospital, Tullamore, County Offaly is a matter for the Midland Health Board in the first instance.
There are, at present, two orthopaedic surgeons in the General Hospital, Tullamore providing out-patient clinics in five locations throughout the Midland Health Board area, i.e. Portlaoise, Tullamore, Mullingar, Athlone and Longford. They also provide an in-patient service for the region, serving a population of approximately 203,000 in the 55-bed regional orthopaedic unit in Tullamore.
I am happy to inform the Deputy that my Department has recently approved the appointment of a third orthopaedic surgeon for the General Hospital in Tullamore. This appointment will considerably improve the orthopaedic services in the Midland Health Board area.