Keith Swanick (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is deeply disappointing to learn there are no plans to open a pain management clinic at Mayo University Hospital. While I acknowledge the Minister of State's comments on the expansion of the NTPF, what will inevitably happen is these people will still have to travel to Sligo or Galway to access the service. It is unfair to people who have chronic pain. There are 140,000 people living in County Mayo. A clinic in Castlebar could also facilitate patients travelling from County Roscommon. This issue needs urgent attention and I ask the Minister of State to look at the matter again.

Also, will the Minister of State give an update on the proposal for the 20 additional acute beds in Mayo University Hospital which were meant to be delivered through the modular building unit? Are there any plans for the redevelopment of Belmullet Community Hospital?