HC Deb 16 August 1883 vol 283 cc711-2
MR. LEAMY

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether the recent appointment of the police surgeon at Waterford was made on the recommendation of the county inspector for Waterford; whether that officer, when recommending the gentleman who at present holds the appointment, was aware of the rule that such appointments are given to dispensary medical officers, unless there is good reason to the contrary; whether he was also aware that one of the medical officers of Waterford Dispensary is assistant surgeon to the Leper Hospital, in which all constabulary cases, other than fever cases, are treated; whether he informed the Inspector General of the reasons on account of which he was unable to recommend either of the Water-ford Dispensary medical officers; and, if so, whether there is any objection to state those reasons to the House; and, how long the county inspector for Water-ford has been stationed there?

MR. TREVELYAN

Sir, as I have already stated in reply to a former Question, the rule under which these appointments are given to dispensary doctors is not an invariable one; and it has not heretofore been observed in Waterford and some other large towns. Dr. Connolly's appointment was made on the recommendation of the county inspector, who has been stationed at Waterford for 11 months. He was quite aware of the connection of one of the dispensary doctors with the Leper Hospital. It is not a fact, however, that all constabulary cases, other than fever cases, are treated in that institution. Very few are, as most cases are treated in barracks, if slight, or sent to St. Stephen's Hospital, Dublin, if serious. It does not appear to have been a question of being unable to recommend the dispensary doctors; but of what appointment would be for the greatest advantage to the constabulary. The county inspector thought it best to have the men all under the care of one surgeon, especially as he held the appointment of physician to the fever hospital, where so many of the men are from time to time treated.