John O'Leary
Ceist:79 Mr. O'Leary asked the Minister for Health when a diabetic clinic will be established in Tralee General Hospital, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15192/95]
Written Answers. - Tralee (Kerry) General Hospital.
Limerick East): Diabetic in-patient services are provided in Tralee General Hospital by the two general physicians employed in the hospital. Diabetics requiring out-patient services attend one of the two medical clinics held weekly in the hospital. The establishment of a specialist diabetic clinic at Tralee General Hospital would involve the attendance of a consultant diabetologist and the additional services of a dietician, ophthalmologist and chiropodist.
The provision of consultant diabetic services at Tralee General Hospital will be reviewed by the board following the appointment of a consultant endocrinologist with a special interest in diabetes mellitus to Cork University Hospital. This consultant appointment, which the Department approved on 6 January 1994, is being finalised at present, and will allow the board to expand the number of specialist diabetic clinics which it provides at present.