Vol. 528 No. 1
250 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children if there is a nephrologist at Mayo General Hospital, County Mayo to deal with Mayo patients; if it is proposed to appoint a person to that position; if so, when; and the number of nephrologists dealing with the Western Health Board. [29654/00]
The provision of services is a matter for the Western Health Board in the first instance. The Western Health Board area is served by one consultant nephrologist. The renal dialysis unit was established at Mayo General Hospital in 1994 and the service is provided under the supervision of the consultant nephrologist. The consultant nephrologist also holds a clinic at Mayo General Hospital once a month. The Western Health Board will receive additional funding of £300,000 in 2001 to further develop renal services.
My Department is in the process of establishing a renal strategy group. The group will consider, inter alia, the need for additional consultant nephrologists. A proposal from the Western Health Board will be considered in this context.
