Madam, - Liam Duffy, chief executive of Beaumont Hospital (February 21st) says it is "totally incorrect" to state that a dedicated ultrasound machine was urgently needed at the Accident & Emergency department. His opinion is surprising.
And all the more surprising because just a few lines down he points out that the need for an ultrasound machine in the A&E was in fact discussed in the past few months. In response to this discussion the hospital has decided to seek a tender for the supply of an ultrasound. Is Beaumont going to seek tenders for an ultrasound which is not needed? And certainly not urgently needed?
Mr Duffy is happy to point out that other A&E departments in Dublin do not have dedicated ultrasound machines. I think it unwise to seek expiatory comfort by drawing attention to the widespread impoverishment of our A&E departments. Beaumont A&E does not have an ultrasound. Neither, says Mr Duffy, does the Mater nor St Vincent's. So that's all right, then.
Finally, Mr Duffy takes the opportunity to announce "a summer ball" to pay for staff education at Beaumont Hospital. Can anything be more absurd? If the staff at Beaumont Hospital want to dance the night away, one wishes them every happiness. But to think that a major hospital should be depending on tangos and salsas to pay for necessary medical education is beyond comprehension. - Yours, etc,
Dr CYRIL DALY, Howth Road, Dublin 5.