Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)

The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive has the responsibility to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. This includes responsibility for the provision of acute hospital services and the appointment of new or replacement consultant posts. As such, the Department of Health and Children no longer has a role in regard to funding arrangements for individual consultant posts.

Provision of radiology services at Mallow General Hospital had been the subject of detailed discussion between Comhairle na nOspidéal and the former Southern Health Board up to 2004. Comhairle na nOspidéal had advised that a stand alone single-handed consultant appointment could not be sustained. Considerable efforts have been made to find a solution to resolve the problem of consultant radiology staffing cover at Mallow General Hospital, including the possibility of partnership arrangements with Cork city hospitals. It is now a matter for the Health Service Executive national hospitals' office to ensure the radiology service at Mallow General Hospital is supported to meet the needs of the local population.

Capital funding has been allocated for the provision of a CT scanner at Mallow General Hospital. This will improve the quality of services to patients and avoid difficulty in transferring such cases to and from Cork city hospitals, as occurs at present.

The Department of Health and Children has been informed by the HSE southern area that the CT scanner will need to be housed in purpose-built accommodation adjoining the radiology department. This will involve careful architectural and planning work. Tender specifications for the purchase of the CT scanner in accordance with EU procurement directives are also being prepared and will be placed in the EU Journal shortly. The Department of Health and Children has been assured that the HSE southern area is moving as quickly as possible on the project.

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