Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)

The radiology services in Navan, which according to the Minister's figures dealt with 177 patients every month for the past nine months, will have less work now that the orthopaedic ward is closed. Is it intended to move some of the staff to do work in other hospitals? The regional network manager accepted that 180 patients could miss out on having their operations in December. It is accepted that only six were booked in. However, the consultants have confirmed they only book their patients in three or four weeks in advance. That regional unit deals with many more than six patients so it is unfair to suggest that only six patients will be affected. In regard to the services, is it intended to move some of the staff out of Navan during this month when operations are cancelled to work in the other unit, given that it is a regional unit? In regard to the radiology services, pre-assessment works will probably not be carried out in respect of patients hoping to undergo procedures in January or February, so the delay in operations will be a lot longer than a month. That should be admitted.

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