asked the Minister for Health whether he is aware that the Kerry County Council have been allocated only 17 beds in Gurranebraher Regional Orthopaedic Hospital, County Cork; and if, in view of the fact that there is a long waiting list, he will arrange for the allocation of at least 25 beds to Kerry patients.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Beds for Kerry Patients.
It was agreed when the Gurranebraher Orthopaedic Hospital was established that 25 beds should be reserved for patients for whom the Kerry County Council are responsible. During my discussions in Tralee with members of the Kerry County Council in July last I was informed that there were only 13 Kerry patients in the hospital at that time. I arranged to have the matter taken up with the South Cork Board of Public Assistance which is the authority responsible for the hospital. The board have replied that owing to the polio outbreak in Cork all admissions to the hospital have been slowed but that all urgent cases from Kerry have been admitted without delay and that the less urgent cases were being admitted as beds become available.
I am keeping in constant touch with the situation and am endeavouring to ensure that 25 beds will be made available for Kerry patients at the earliest possible date.
I might add that there is a large waiting list of Cork patients for admission to the hospital.