Vol. 550 No. 2
332 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children further to the recent announcement that nurses in accident and emergency departments of hospitals are to take strike action, the contingency plans he has put in place for the accident and emergency unit at Mullingar General Hospital, County Westmeath. [7994/02]
The Nursing Alliance has assured the Health Service Employers Agency that in the event of the threatened industrial action proceeding in accident and emergency departments, an emergency response team will be on stand-by in each department to deal with any life-threatening or major trauma case which might present.
Responsibility for the provision of accident and emergency services at the Midland Regional Hospital at Mullingar rests with the Midland Health Board in the first instance. My Department has therefore asked the chief executive officer of the board to respond directly to the Deputy with regard to contingency planning in respect of the hospital.
