asked the Minister for Health if he will state the number of extra hospital beds provided in the year 1950 in (a) tuberculosis hospitals; (b) general hospitals, and (c) cancer hospitals or wards.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Provision of Hospital Beds.
The number of extra hospital beds provided in the year 1950 in hospitals maintained by local authorities or in voluntary hospitals which furnish returns to the Hospitals Commission was as follows:—
|
Tuberculosis hospitals |
320 |
|
General hospitals |
50 |
|
Cancer hospitals and wards |
Nil |
The Deputy will understand that the number of extra beds provided in the year 1950 does not represent the amount of hospital building work carried out in that year. The building works at present in progress will provide, on completion, 1,788 extra beds in tuberculosis hospitals, 863 extra beds in general hospitals and 160 extra beds in cancer hospitals, as well as a much improved standard of accommodation in those hospitals which are being reconstructed.
The figures which I have given in relation to general hospitals do not include maternity hospitals, fever hospitals, orthopaedic hospitals or mental defective institutions.