Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 17 Apr 2002

Vol. 552 No. 1

Written Answers. - Health Board Services.

Frances Fitzgerald

Ceist:

309 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of clinics for patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis here; the length of the waiting lists for assessments; the number of consultants in this speciality; and his views on the assessed need for more consultants. [11227/02]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

Comhairle na nOspideal, which is the statutory body set up to regulate appointments of consultant medical staff in hospitals providing services under the Health Acts, reviewed the need for the expansion of services in this area in 1995. Figures compiled by Comhairle show that there were a total of 17 consultant rheumatologist posts in the country as at 1 January 2002.

The number of clinics for patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and the numbers waiting for assessment are not routinely collected by my Department. The provision of these services is a matter for the health boards and the Eastern Regional Health Authority in the first instance. My Department has, therefore, asked the chief executive officers of each board and the chief executive officer of the Eastern Regional Health Authority to reply directly to the Deputy in relation to the matters raised and in relation to their plans for the further development of the service in their area.