Mr. Liam Woods:

What we have done, under the strategy, is appoint a strong clinical leader in the south-south west group that includes Cork and other hospitals. We did so with the very intention of providing direct clinical leadership and support to all of the hospitals within the group.

In terms of the individual hospital, when the reports were in the media some days ago I looked at what happened the head count for the services in CUH over the past number of years and discovered that the figures have grown. Since 2013 there has been an increase of 40 in the number of midwives and about an increase of 14 in the number of medical staff. There were reports that showed reductions in finances. The overall position showed me a growth in resource based on the human factor, which is the main cost in the system.

In terms of the question of governance, the strategy clearly shows that there will be networks. We have taken a first step in Cork to support the south-south west network by appointing a lead for that. It is not called a master. The post is a clinical lead for obstetrics and gynaecology services in that group.