asked the Minister for Health the total number of trained medical staff, nurses and doctors caring for the patients at Dundrum Mental Hospital, Dublin; and the total number of patients registered there at the moment.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dundrum (Dublin) Hospital Staffing.
108.
The staff of the Central Mental Hospital comprises 3 medical officers, two of whom held senior positions in the health authority psychiatric service prior to their appointment to the hospital; one head male attendant and 47 male attendants; one matron and 15 female attendants. The head attendant and matron are qualified psychiatric nurses; the remaining attendants have not formal nursing qualification.
The number of patients maintained in the hospital as present is 117, made up of 94 males and 23 females.
The Deputy will recall that, in replying to his question on the 7th November, I indicated that I have accepted that there is a case for the integration of the hospital with the psychiatric services of the Dublin Health Authority and that this is being considered in connection with the proposed legislation to implement the White Paper on the Health Services.
Would the Minister indicate how this compares with other mental hospitals?
I could not, I am afraid. It is one attendant to every two patients.
Is there a psychiatric nurse?
Yes and maybe a chief attendant.