Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 25 Nov 1998

Vol. 497 No. 3

Written Answers - Obstetric Services.

Austin Deasy

Ceist:

134 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the concern among medical practitioners whose patients seeking private maternity care at Waterford Regional Hospital are unable to do so due to a shortage of consultants and as a result are having to go as public patients. [25127/98]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen):

The provision of public obstetric services in Waterford Regional Hospital is a matter for the South Eastern Health Board. My Department is in discussion with the board on proposals for the development of this service, having regard to competing priorities and the availability of funding.

The provision of private treatment is not a matter for me as Minister. Where private treatment is delivered by public hospital consultants it should be delivered within the terms of their consultant contract and in compliance with regulations on bed designations drawn up by my Department under the Health (Amendment) Act, 1991.