Dr. Patrick Ormond:

I do not have an exact figure, but there are in the region of 40 dermatologists throughout the country, some of whom are in private practice. Certainly, we have one of the lowest rates of dermatologists in Europe and probably in the developed world. That is an ongoing problem and many European countries are trying to train sufficient dermatologists quickly enough to meet the growing demand, in particular to treat skin cancer, given our genetic skin types.

With regard to dermatology services in Waterford, there was an unfortunate and long-term problem where an unsupported single dermatologist managed a huge population of over 250,000 people and eventually I suppose broke under the pressure of trying to cope with the potential risk to patients. The only way he could be taken seriously was to resign which, unfortunately, he did. A second dermatologist who was appointed at the time is on maternity leave. There was no dermatology service in Waterford. The patients have since been taken up by spreading them throughout the functioning departments in Cork and St. James's, Tallaght and Vincent's hospitals. However, these are departments that are already understaffed.