Vol. 527 No. 5
166 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the degree to which state of the art technology is available in all hospitals; if all surgical and medical institutions receive upgrading and updating in this area on an ongoing basis without exception; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29141/00]
In all new developments, hospitals are equipped with the most up to date equipment to satisfy the clinical needs of the service. Under the national development plan, £4 million has been provided to the health boards and £8 million to the Eastern Regional Health Authority to address the issue of replacement equipment and minor refurbishment works in the acute hospitals It is a matter for the boards to prioritise items of new and replacement medical and surgical equipment from within the indicate national development plan funding provided to them over the life of the plan, 2000-06. New technology assessment is conducted by the relevant medical, professional and technical staff in my Department and their professional advice is readily available to the service providers in the health boards.
