Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 27 Mar 1996

Vol. 463 No. 4

Written Answers. - Hospital Consultant Post.

Ned O'Keeffe

Ceist:

94 Mr. E. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health if he will recommend that the vacant position for an anaesthetist at Cork University Hospital be filled without further delay; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the delay in filling this appointment has led to some of the consultants being able to carry out surgery only one day per week; and if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that this position has been vacant since October 1995 resulting in many urgent cases being deferred for surgery. [6755/96]

Minister for Health (Mr. Noonan,

Limerick East): The position in relation to the post in question is that up to the end of 1995, a part-time anaesthetist was employed at Cork University Hospital whose primary responsibility was to work on the three urology operating sessions weekly at the hospital.

Following her retirement at the end of December 1995, the Southern Health Board advertised the post, but has been unsuccessful in recruiting a candidate for this part-time position. As a result, an elective operating list has remained uncovered.

The board has submitted proposals to the Department for the restructuring of this post as a full-time consultant post. Officials of my Department are in consultation with the board regarding the details of these proposals.