Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 December 2004
133 Dr. Twomey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of geriatricians in public hospitals in each health board area or equivalent; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31789/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has contacted the health boards and the Eastern Regional Health Authority and they have advised the following information.
The Eastern Regional Health Authority confirmed there are the following number of geriatricians in public hospitals in the following agencies: Adelaide Meath National Children's Hospital — two WTE; James Connolly Memorial Hospital — one WTE; Naas Hospital — one WTE; Beaumont Hospital — one WTE; Mater Hospital — three WTE; St. James's Hospital — four WTE; and St. Vincent's University Hospital — three WTE.
Currently the North Eastern Health Board has four consultant physician/geriatricians, one each in Louth County Hospital; Our Lady's Hospital, Navan; Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda; and Cavan General Hospital. The number of geriatricians in the Mid-Western Health Board area is four, broken down as follows: Mid-Western Regional Hospital, Dooradoyle, Limerick — two; Mid-Western Regional Hospital, Ennis — one; and Nenagh General Hospital — one.
The Midland Health Board confirmed that it has two posts filled as consultant physician with special interests in geriatric medicine, one each in the Midland Regional Hospital at Tullamore and the Midland Regional Hospital at Mullingar. The Western Health confirmed that there are five consultant physicians with a special interest in geriatric medicine employed in the board's acute hospitals, broken down as follows: one each in University College Hospital, Merlin Park, County Hospital Roscommon, Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe and Mayo General Hospital, Castlebar.
In the North Western Health Board there is one consultant geriatrician at Sligo General Hospital. The board has recently received Department of Health and Children approval for a second consultant geriatrician. This application is currently with Comhairle na nOspidéal for approval. There are two consultant geriatricians in Letterkenny General Hospital. The Southern Health Board confirmed the following: three WTEs between Cork University Hospital and St. Finbarr's Hospital; one WTE in Kerry General Hospital; one WTE in Bantry General Hospital; and one consultant physician in geriatric medicine employed in the South Infirmary-Victoria Hospital. This is a joint appointment, shared 5.5 sessions per week in the South Infirmary-Victoria Hospital and 5.5 sessions per week in the Mercy Hospital.
The South Eastern Health Board confirmed that it employs eight consultants, two in each of its four public hospitals.
