asked the Minister for Health what percentage of beds in general hospitals is made available for aged patients; and if he will ensure that in future a certain proportion of general hospital beds will be given over for geriatric cases.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Hospital Accommodation for Aged Patients.
29.
Mr. O'Malley
I have no detailed figures as to the number of aged patients in general hospitals but the information available to me suggests that approximately 40 per cent of the patients in the Dublin general hospitals are over 60 years of age. As the Deputy will be aware, the primary criterion for admission to hospital is the patient's medical condition rather than his age.
As regards the second part of the Deputy's question, the question of special accommodation for geriatric cases is one of the matters which is being considered in relation to the provision generally of better facilities for the care and treatment of the old. I have referred to this matter generally in reply to the Deputy's previous question.