Vol. 476 No. 5
92 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for Health the plans, if any, he has to improve and extend the range of services available to patients in the Mid-Western Health Board area in view of the distress suffered by patients forced to attend hospitals in Dublin, Cork and elsewhere for surgery and other services; the amount he has provided in 1997 towards such developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7616/97]
Limerick East): Policy in the regional development of acute hospital services envisages the expansion of specialist services in health boards so that with the exception of a small number of specialities of a national dimension, for example cardiac surgery, neurosurgery and organ transplantation, expertise in the full range of specialties will be available in each health board area. Since 1994, acute hospital services in the Mid-Western Health Board have been substantially improved and a number of new services have been introduced. Areas which have benefited include cardiology, urology, vascular surgery, gastro-intestinal surgery, renal dialysis and neonatalogy. In 1997, I have provided an additional £485,000 to the Mid-Western Health Board for the further development of regional specialities in acute hospitals.
Further improvements will be made in the near future, particularly in relation to the delivery and provision of cancer services. When I launched the action plan for the implementation of the National Cancer Strategy, earlier this month, I announced that, in relation to the Mid-Western Health Board, consultant appointments would be made in oncology and palliative care. I have already provided funding for the post of consultant haematologist. These developments mean that few patients from the mid-west should have to travel outside the region for treatment.
