Vol. 480 No. 6
262 Miss Coughlan asked the Minister for Health and Children if an epidural service is now available on demand in Sligo General Hospital; and if a similar service is also available at Letterkenny General Hospital, County Donegal. [14369/97]
A 24 hour epidural service was introduced at Sligo General Hospital on 1 July 1997. This follows a review of consultant anaesthetic services at the hospital and the recruitment of four junior anaesthetic staff. In Letterkenny General Hospital the North-Western Health Board has submitted proposals for the introduction of an epidural service at an annual cost of £ 150,000. I am considering these proposals at present in the light of available funds.
