Billy Timmins
Ceist:213 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Health and Children the plans he has to develop the facilities at St. Columcille's Hospital, Loughlinstown, County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15641/01]
Written Answers. - Hospital Services.
The development of services at St. Columcille's Hospital, Loughlinstown, is a matter for consideration by the Eastern Regional Health Authority (ERHA) in the first instance.
In July 2000, my colleague, Deputy Hanafin, announced approval of a grant of £5 million for the upgrading of facilities at St. Columcille's Hospital. This will include an extension to the existing accident and emergency department and a new day procedures unit. I have been informed by the ERHA that a project team is in place to oversee this work and that detailed briefs are being completed. This investment will contribute significantly to the enhancement of accident and emergency and day surgery services at the hospital.
I am further advised by the ERHA that discussions are taking place on the detailed configuration of a new consultant paediatric service for the east coast area in line with the provisions for the development of this service in the East Coast Area Health Board's provider plan for 2001. Consultations with GPs and users are taking place and it is envisaged that these will be completed very shortly.
Dinny McGinley
Ceist:214 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will approve a grant so that x-ray facilities can be made available at Donegal Town Hospital, County Donegal. [15644/01]
Responsibility for the provision of hospital services, including x-ray facilities, at Donegal Town Hospital rests with the North-Western Health Board. I have been informed by the board that it is presently commissioning a state of the art digitised x-ray department at the new community hospital in Killybegs, only 16 miles from Donegal town. This unique development will enable the transmission of radiological images electronically to the board's radiology department at Letterkenny General Hospital for reporting, and for transmission onwards to tertiary services if required.
The board has also in recent years significantly upgraded x-ray facilities at the Sheil Hospital in Ballyshannon, 13 miles from Donegal town. The board considers that the above units at present meet the radiological needs of the south west Donegal area and has no plans for the development of similar facilities at the community hospital in Donegal town.