asked the Minister for Health whether a survey was carried out recently in County Kerry on the admission rate of geriatrics to hospitals in the county; if so, whether the survey showed that such admission rate tends to increase; whether he will give special consideration to a proposal to initiate a pilot scheme in the county by the provision of intensive home nursing care of geriatrics; and whether he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Home Nursing for Geriatrics.
60.
I understand that the health authority have had a study carried out of in-patient records covering a period of years in each of their hospitals and the report has been completed very recently. The study of the results by the officers of the health authority will take some further time and I am, therefore, unable to supply the information regarding geriatric patients which the Deputy requires.
The problem of providing adequate services for the care of the aged is country wide. So far as general hospital services are concerned the report of the Consultative Council which will be published later this week includes a number of important recommendations on the geriatric services. In addition I hope to have within a few months a report of an inter-departmental committee dealing comprehensively with the problems of the care of the aged. These reports will, I am sure, enable me to plan the development of more effective services for the care of the aged.