Vol. 504 No. 4
200 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to a waiting list for the rheumatology clinic in Waterford General Hospital; when adequate funding will be made available to enable improvement in this vital service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12299/99]
The provision of rheumatology services at Waterford Regional Hospital is a matter for the South-Eastern Health Board in the first instance.
A rheumatology service was introduced at Waterford Regional Hospital in 1997 when a new consultant rheumatologist took up appointment. The service has been developed through the provision of additional funding by my Department amounting to £637,000 since 1997. The continued development of the service will be considered in consultation with the South-Eastern Health Board in the context of competing priorities and the availability of additional resources for 2000.
