asked the Minister for Health if he will consider providing long-stay accommodation at local hospitals for old people so that they may remain near friends in their locality instead of having to be admitted to county homes.
61.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Accommodation for Old People.
60.
asked the Minister for Health if he will recommend that married quarters should be made available in those county homes which have not already got them; and if he will give financial help to county councils for this purpose.
Mr. O'Malley
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 60 and 61 together.
My general intentions in regard to the institutional care of the aged were set out in the recent White Paper, which indicated that the county homes should be developed as long-stay hospitals, and that they should be adequately staffed and equipped to deal with the rehabilitation or care of patients. Where only shelter and maintenance are needed, as distinct from medical care, it is intended that they will be provided in accommodation separate from that for the chronically ill.
I am not yet in a position to indicate the detailed arrangements which will be made. I have established an interdepartmental committee to consider matters in this field and I have asked it to keep in mind the points raised by the Deputy's question.
Would the Minister bear in mind that when elderly patients are in a district hospital suffering from an ailment which is likely to continue for some time, they are invariably, after a period of a few weeks, moved to the county home? It is cases such as that that I have in mind. Would he direct that such patients be maintained for more extended periods to the benefit of themselves and their relations?
Mr. O'Malley
With the development of domiciliary care and special housing for the aged, the problem should diminish considerably, but I shall bear in mind the point the Deputy has raised.