Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am also disappointed. There was no reference in the reply to the questions about the breast surgeon, lack of diabetes services, dermatology services, rheumatology services and urology services. I have one message for the Minister of State to take to the Minister. I request that he appoint a review team to immediately go to Letterkenny and conduct a root and branch review of the hospital services, budgets and where the services are lacking. The team must work in conjunction with the front-line services and with management but report directly to the Minister. When the recommendations are made to the Minister, he should then implement them and provide the necessary funds. Although it has not been mentioned in this reply, to say €14 billion has been allocated to the health budget this year is of no interest. We are interested in ensuring that the people we represent in our county receive the best services. Rather than say what we got in the past we want to look forward. A team should examine the matter objectively, report to the Minister and the Government should respond. That should be done in a matter of weeks.

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