BY Harry Walsh

THE consultant who complained of twiddling his thumbs because of cutbacks at Letterkenny General Hospital has organised an extra clinic for today, Friday.

Senior orthopaedic consultant Peter O'Rourke expects to see between fifty and sixty patients throughout the course of the day.

"The Minister for Health (Mary Harney) suggested that I find some work to do by tending to patients on waiting lists for out-patient appointments. Off my own bat I've arranged an extra clinic for Friday to see patients who are in need of hip or knee replacement surgery. However, I won't be able to give them a date when I'll be able to operate except to say that it will be some time in the new year," Mr O'Rourke said.

In an interview with the Donegal News last week Mr O'Rourke said that he was staring out the window since the budget for orthopaedic procedures dried up two weeks ago. He said the current situatiuon had left him both 'frustrated and depressed'.

Health Minister Mary Harney urged him to find some work to do by tending to patients on waiting lists for out-patient appointments. A HSE spokesman said that Mr O'Rourke could make good use of his time by taking his annual leave now, rather than in the New Year, when the new hospital budget kicks in. He said hiring a locum doctor to cover for one consultant costs up to ¤16,000 a month.

"Consultants are entitled to 28 rest days a year. Why not use up his rest days now?"

Responding to Ms Harney's comments, Mr O'Rourke said he had offered on many occasions to run extra outpatient clinics but that would require extra nurses and administrative staff which the hospital could not afford to pay for. "The hospital has a budget and if it has to be spent for other services then the money has to come from somewhere," he said.

"The Government has refused to acknowledge that services are being affected by the cutbacks."