Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 7 Jun 2000

Vol. 520 No. 4

Adjournment Debate. - Hospital Services.

Mr. Sheehan:

The future of the surgical wing of Bantry general hospital and the future of Bantry Hospital in general is an important matter.

Is it true the future of surgical services in the hospital might be in danger? Will the Minister give a categorical assurance to the House and to me that surgical services will continue in Bantry General Hospital because rumours to the contrary have been circulating widely throughout the length and breadth of west Cork and south Kerry? Will the Minister explain why a second surgeon's position has been left vacant for the past 12 years since the former surgeon, Mr. Baker, retired 12 years ago? Will the Minister explain why a second anaesthetist's position has been left vacant for the same 12 year period?

I understand that Comhairle na n-Ospidéal has a recognised policy that all surgical hospitals should have the services of two surgeons and two anaesthetists. Will the Minister explain why the two positions in Bantry General Hospital have not been filled for those past 12 years? Will he authorise the filling of the those two vacant positions immediately?

I need not remind the Minister of the importance of Bantry General Hospital to the vast hinterland of west Cork and south Kerry, embracing a sprawling area from Courtmacsherry in the east to Waterville in County Kerry. The Minister is familiar with the vast terrain that makes up my constituency of Cork South West and South Kerry, the constituency of my colleague, Deputy Healy-Rae, who also depends on the services of this hospital for the people of his area.

I urge the Minister to give me a categorical assurance that the surgical services in Bantry General Hospital will continue and that the two positions will be filled. I urge the Minister to record his intention to take immediate steps to fill those two positions, thereby securing the surgical department of this hospital. I do not want Bantry General Hospital downgraded to a geriatric unit.

The area is so large that patients could die in transit to University Hospital in Cork. Parts of my constituency in the Beara peninsula are 125 miles from Cork city. The Mizen peninsula, where I live myself, is almost 100 miles from Cork city and the Muintir Bháire peninsula likewise. It is of paramount importance that the surgical wing in Bantry General Hospital is retained. I urge the Minister to give me that assurance.

When I raised this matter more than 12 months ago I was given an assurance by the Minister of State, Deputy Moffatt, that there was not a proposal to discontinue general surgical services at Bantry General Hospital. I hope the Minister will reassure me of that tonight. Dr. Moffatt also told me on that occasion that the future role of surgery will be explored in the context of the plan being prepared by the Southern Health Board. That is a devious plan. I have no faith it that plan and I want the Minister to assure the House that Bantry Hospital will continue to serve the areas of south west Cork and south Kerry with a surgical service and that he will appoint a second surgeon, two consultants and two anaesthetists to the hospital immediately.

I do not want to take "No" for an answer. Actions speak louder than words. I do not want the people of my constituency to live in fear of their hospital closing down. The University Hospital in Cork is bursting at the seams, with patients from my constituency spending two days on trolleys while they wait for beds. Down in Bantry we have an excellent hospital with excellent facilities which cannot function adequately for the want of staff. Where is the Celtic tiger? The Government has millions to squander all over the country but the Minister ignores the fact that south west Cork needs facilities. The future of Bantry Hospital as a major surgical unit must be assured.

I have been told the Minister for Finance, Deputy McCreevy, was successful in having Naas County Hospital maintained recently.

Mr. Durkan:

I had a hand in that too.

Mr. Sheehan:

I hope the Minister, a Cork man and a man in whom I have great faith, will give me an assurance that Bantry Hospital will be maintained as a surgical hospital in the years to come.

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin):

I thank Deputy Sheehan for raising the issue of the provision of surgical services at Bantry General Hospital. I confirm my commitment to the continued provision of these services at the hospital.

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, Deputy Walsh, Senator O'Donovan and the Minister of State, Deputy Ned O'Keeffe, have been in touch with me about the mysterious development of a rumour regarding the future of Bantry General Hospital. I hoped Deputy Sheehan could enlighten me as to where this rumour began.

Mr. Sheehan:

Deputy Walsh and Senator O'Donovan did not tell the Minister any lie.

Mr. Martin:

The report is merely an rumour. There is no truth in the rumour that there will be any downgrading of surgical services at Bantry General Hospital. I give the Deputy and my colleagues that categorical assurance on the record of the House. I am intrigued by the manner in which the rumour has developed and circulated.

Bantry General Hospital plays a very important role in the provision of hospital services to the people of west Cork. In that context, I am familiar with the vast terrain the Deputy and his colleagues cover. I am a frequent admirer of the tenacity of west Cork public representatives because they cover vast territory. It can be arduous and they cover long distances. It is probably one of the most difficult constituencies in the country to cover.

Mr. Sheehan:

The Minister had happy holidays there too.

Mr. Martin:

I spent my holidays there in the beautiful countryside. The provision of services at the hospital is the statutory provision of the Southern Health Board. In considering the future role of Bantry General Hospital, the board propose to take a phased approach to the development of the hospital. The starting point is the existing services and a process of upgrading these is required. This process will involve a site appraisal to be undertaken to identify capital implications, including the upgrading of ward and single room accommodation for patients; address immediate staff requirements to ensure that the existing level of service can continue; invest in new equipment on a phased basis; commence the appointment of a replacement consultant physician and seek approval for a new second post of consultant physician with a special interest in medicine for the elderly. This is extremely important given the demographic changes taking place throughout the country and the need for greater services for the elderly in our community.

I am fully committed to working with the Southern Health Board to build on the strengths of the hospital in meeting the needs of the local population. The Southern Health Board has carried out a needs assessment of services at Bantry General Hospital and has commenced the process of developing services there on a phased basis to continue to meet the needs of the people of the area.

I wish to make clear that there are no proposals to discontinue surgical services at Bantry General Hospital. The provision of surgical services at the hospital is the subject of ongoing consultation, discussion and review. A complete review of the surgical case mix is being undertaken and the professor of surgery and the two accident and emergency consultants at Cork University Hospital are involved in the discussion of various options. These discussions are taking place in the context of extensive consultations with all interested parties, notably local general practitioners. The consultant surgeon post is single handed at present, and there are no proposals to reduce this service. I will consider any proposals that the board may put forward in the light of these discussions with a view to ensuring that the services to patients at Bantry General Hospital are developed in line with the principles of best practice in this area.

I am aware that the management of the Southern Health Board is examining, with the assistance of Comhairle na nOspidéal, the consultant medical staff of the board and with my Department, the possibilities for the development of surgical services, including the possibility of applying for the appointment of a second surgeon at Bantry General Hospital. Rather than any reduction, we are looking at expansion in these areas.

Mr. Sheehan:

Will the Minister appoint a consultant surgeon to the vacant post?

Mr. Martin:

I know the Southern Health Board considers that Bantry General Hospital presents a great opportunity for piloting and initiating new models of surgical care, including the use of new technology, the identification of appropriate surgical sub-specialisation for hospitals serving remote rural areas, developing minimally invasive techniques in the surgical area and strengthening the links with Cork University Hospital.

I assure the Deputy of my absolute commitment to the development of services in the Southern Health Board area, including those at Bantry General Hospital. I am confident the hospital will continue to play a full and active role in the provision of high quality surgical services.

Mr. Sheehan:

I hope the Minister fills the vacant position or I will be back at his heels.