Vol. 467 No. 1
149 Mr. P. Gallagher (Laoighis-Offaly) asked the Minister for Health his views on the adequacy of opthalmological out-patient and in-patient services in the Midland Health Board area; his views on whether services need to be improved, particularly for the prevention and early detection of problems in the young and the elderly; the action, if any, he will take to improve such services in this health board area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12707/96]
Limerick East): The Consultant Opthalmic service to cover the Midland Health Board population was established in 1985. The consultant Opthalmologist is on the staff of the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital and this hospital provides in-patient surgical facilities for Midland Health Board patients. Opthalmic out-patient clinics are also held at five centres in the board's area, i.e. Portlaoise, Tullamore, Athlone, Mullingar and Longford.
The number of eye clinics provided by the board per four week period is as follows: Consultant Opthalmology, 12; Community Opthalmic Physician, 49; Orthoptist, 40.
I am pleased to be able to inform the Deputy that a second orthoptist has recently been appointed to the Midland Health Board area who will be involved in the early detection of eye problems and will assist in reducing waiting lists.
