Vol. 541 No. 2
427 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason casualty consultants are being appointed to Drogheda, but have not been appointed nor have positions been advertised for Our Lady's Hospital in Navan; if he will ensure that the treatment of single fractures, where there are no other complications, will continue in Our Lady's Hospital in Navan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21074/01]
I was pleased to provide funding, as part of a major investment package aimed at alleviating service pressures in acute hospitals, for the recruitment of additional accident and emergency consultants in each health board region. An additional two accident and emergency consultants were approved to serve the North-Eastern Health Board region. Following consideration by Comhairle na nOspidéal, it was determined that these appointments would be based at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, and provide outreach services to the other general hospitals, including Our Lady's Hospital, Navan, in the region in line with service needs. The recruitment of these additional personnel, initially on a temporary basis, is being progressed by the North-Eastern Health Board.
I should also advise the Deputy that Comhairle na nOspidéal is in the process of reviewing the structure, operation and staffing of A&E services with the aim of improving the provision and quality of patient care. The findings of this review will inform future policy decisions in relation to the provision of A&E services, including the appointment on a permanent basis of additional consultants to the North-Eastern Health Board region. I am advised that the review is at an advanced stage and I look forward to receiving the findings in the near future.
The provision and development of orthopaedic services at Our Lady's Hospital, Navan, is a matter for the North-Eastern Health Board. In this regard, I am advised that the board in line with a key proposal in its framework document, North East Hospitals – The Next Five Years – a framework for continuing development, is developing the hospital as the regional orthopaedic centre with appropriate staff and other resources being made available to it. In this capacity the hospital will provide all single system orthopaedic surgical procedures, in other words knee and hip operations, and such like, and all elective procedures. Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, has the largest concentration of consultant, nursing and paramedical staff in the region. Because of the skills and range of medical expertise available to it, it is being designated by the board as the centre for the care and treatment of persons with multiple system injuries.
