|
|
|
Dáil Éireann - Volume 261 - 07 June, 1972 Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers - Inter-Articular Surgery. Dr. Byrne Dr. Byrne 7. Dr. Byrne asked the Minister for Health the estimated number of people in the State suffering from diseases of the joints which would benefit from inter-articular surgery. Mr. Childers Mr. Childers Mr. Childers: Reliable information on the incidence of these diseases is not available at present. Dr. Byrne Dr. Byrne Dr. Byrne: Is it not true to say that an accurate figure would be in the region of 30,000? Mr. Childers Mr. Childers Mr. Childers: We are seeing whether we can procure this information. There has not been any special need for it up to now. This kind of surgery is provided in the country and we are seeing whether it would be advisable to get some more information about it. The medical officer of my Department has been examining this for some time. Dr. O'Connell Dr. O'Connell Dr. O'Connell: Would the Minister not think it desirable to have a register of those suffering from this condition? Mr. Childers Mr. Childers Mr. Childers: It might be. Dr. Byrne Dr. Byrne 8. Dr. Byrne asked the Minister for Health whether his Department have received an application from Cappagh Hospital, Dublin, or any person on the staff of that hospital requesting aid for a sterile air-conditioned operating theatre for the purposes of specialised inter-articular surgery; and, if so, the date the application was received and the date his Department replied to it. Mr. Childers Mr. Childers 959 Mr. Childers: An application from the hospital for assistance towards the cost of this project was received in my Department on 12th March, 1971. The application was acknowledged on the same day but it has not been possible, owing to the fact that the Hospitals Trust Fund is on the basis of current estimates fully committed, to [959] take a decision as to allocation of a grant. I understand that this operating theatre has been provided and the question of assistance towards its cost will be considered by me later on this year when I shall be reviewing the position of the Hospitals Trust Fund in regard to this and a number of other proposals. Dr. Byrne Dr. Byrne Dr. Byrne: Does the Minister appreciate it is now 15 months since that request was made and his Department have taken no action whatsoever? Does the Minister not think that this is a gross insult to the hospital authorities? Mr. Childers Mr. Childers Mr. Childers: I do not regard it as a gross insult to the hospital authorities. If the Deputy looks at the amount of equipment being provided he will see that the total is nearly £500,000. Purchases must be spaced according to the available finance but I shall be considering these applications. Dr. Byrne Dr. Byrne Dr. Byrne: Could the Minister not at least have communicated with the hospital authorities apart from just sending an official acknowledgment of a letter received? Mr. Childers Mr. Childers Mr. Childers: We have heard from the hospital authorities. Dáil Éireann 261 Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers Inter-Articular Surgery. Questions 19720607
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
