HOSPITAL’S NEW CT SCANNER WAS LEFT IN LAUNDRY ROOM

CONTROVERSY DEBATED IN DAIL AS LOUTH TD’S SEEK ANSWERS FROM TAOISEACH BERTIE AHERN March 2007

THE CT scanner at the Louth hospital is supposed to be working, but it has just been taken from the laundry room where it has been lying idle for more than three months.

There is growing anger that the missed deadline, which is set in the Dáil during a debate about the scanner in the laundry room, is just the latest in a long line of broken promises about the Dublin Road hospital.

The revelation about the scanner, had prompted Fine Gael leader, Enda Kenny, to tackle the government about its policies towards the people of Dundalk.

He says he wouldn’t be surprised if another government health promise has been broken.

‘ They promised 3,000 beds, 200,000 medical cards and an end to waiting lists – all of which they failed to deliver.

‘It would appear that another commitment given in the Dáil now seems to have a question mark hanging over it,’ Mr. Kenny claims.

Sinn Fein TD Arthur Morgan says he is extremely concerned about what is happening with the scanner, and accuses the government and the HSE of continuing to downgrade the hospital.

‘ The government and HSE are not even attempting to hide the fact that services are being downgraded at the Louth. The only thing they are squabbling about is the timing of the downgrades,’ remarks Deputy Morgan.

‘ The people in this area have believed that they would get a scanner since Dermot Ahern announced it at Christmas, 2005. All these months later, there is still no sign of it, despite the fact that people are crying out for it, and more than 19,000 people used accident and emergency at the Louth last year.’

The HSE says the scanner has been moved into a special room where it will be checked to ensure that it is working properly, and they expect it to be operational ‘very early next month’.

During an exchange on 7 February, Enda Kenny pinned the government to a date of 7 March.

The following is an edited version of the debate.

Enda Kenny: I understand the HSE has now indicated that this machine will be operational in the hospital in approximately a month.

Taoiseach: The CT scanner cost €2 million, and was delivered in November. It requires works totalling approximately €700,000 before installation. The work, involving an electrical upgrade, is underway and the scanner will be fully installed next month.

Kenny: The Taoiseach has stated the scanner will be operational within a month, or 7 March. Will the Taoiseach confirm that the necessary staff are in place?

Taoiseach: A committee within the area was set up to look at all the aspects of purchasing a CT scanner, and it will be commissioned by March, 2007.

I did not state, or ask for a specific date. It will be up and running afterwards.