Brian O'Shea
Ceist:149 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Health and Children the proposal, if any, he has to set up a neurosurgery department at Waterford Regional Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16502/99]
Written Answers. - Hospital Services.
Neurosurgical services nationally are currently provided at Beaumont Hospital in Dublin and Cork University Hospital. The neurosurgical needs of South-Eastern Health Board patients are met from these centres. There are no plans to establish a neurosurgery department at Waterford Regional hospital.
As the Deputy will be aware, the overall range of medical and surgical services available at Waterford Regional hospital has been greatly expanded over recent years. New regional specialities of dermatology, nephrology, rheumatology, vascular surgery and oncology have been established there and a trauma orthopaedic service has also been developed on site. These developments have been made possible by an increase of over £11 million in revenue funding for the hospital in the last three years and by the completion of major phased capital works on the site at a total cost of some £65 million. My Depart ment is continuing to work with the South-Eastern Health Board management in identifying and addressing priorities for the ongoing development of services at the hospital in the context of available funding.