Mary Coughlan
Ceist:61 Ms Coughlan asked the Minister for Health and Children the measures he will undertake to ensure a full epidural service for Letterkenny general hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14174/00]
Written Answers. - Hospital Services.
The provision of hospital services in Letterkenny general hospital is the statutory responsibility of the North Western Health Board in the first instance. However I understand from the board that an epidural service is currently available at Letterkenny general hospital on a Monday to Friday basis between the hours of 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily. The service depends on the availability of consultant anaesthetist staff. When the epidural service was introduced last year, two additional registrars were employed to take the complement of registrar staff up to four. This was to ensure that consultant anaesthetist staff could be released at short notice to provide this service. However from January 2000 the hospital has only been able to secure the services of one registrar out of a total complement of four. This has impacted on the availability of the epidural service. The board has informed me that from 1 July next it is hoped that the appointment of four registrars will ensure that the service will resume on a normal 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily basis.