Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 4 Oct 2000

Vol. 523 No. 2

Written Answers. - Health Services Research.

Bernard Allen

Ceist:

148 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to a recent report carried out by the department of epidemiology and public health at University College Cork which found that almost 83% of orthopaedic surgeons surveyed said that they would not initiate or recommend investigation of the extent of underlying osteoporosis in an elderly female patient who suffered a hip fracture after a minor fall even though there is a strong suggestion of underlying osteoporosis. [19466/00]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

I am aware of the research referred to by the Deputy which was undertaken by the department of epidemiology and public health at University College Cork. I understand that the findings were presented as part of the health services research group's conference held in Cork on 29, September 2000. The conference was supported by the chief executive officers of the health boards/ERHA. The objective of the health services research group is to provide a forum where academic research can be presented and discussed with practitioners. The conference in Cork was attended by both medical academics and professionals working in this field.