asked the Minister for Health whether he will consider the desirability of transferring fever cases from Loughlinstown hospital to the fever hospitals at Cork Street and Clonskeagh in view of the difficulty in securing admission to hospital of persons needing general medical and surgical treatment and if he will also take steps to have a temporary theatre provided at Loughlinstown hospital to deal with emergency cases.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Transfer of Fever Patients.
The Deputy is no doubt aware of the fact that in a communication which I addressed on the 30th October to the former commissioner administering the affairs of the Balrothery Board of Assistance, I suggested that consideration should be given to the desirability of transferring fever cases from Loughlinstown Hospital to the fever hospitals at Cork Street and Clonskeagh and also that a temporary operating theatre should be provided at Loughlinstown Hospital. These suggestions were discussed between representatives of the Balrothery Board of Assistance and officers of my Department on the 12th November. I understand that they were further considered at a meeting of the Balrothery Board of Assistance, which was held on the 29th November. I am awaiting the views of the board on these matters.
Does the question not indicate that there is a widespread shortage of general hospital beds and, in view of this fact, will the Minister for Health devote attention to that problem?
The Minister is certainly devoting attention to it.
He is not, he is neglecting it. He is running a T.B. stunt and he is neglecting the provision of beds for general hospital patients.
That is not so.
It is true.