Vol. 245 No. 5
asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the position in Our Lady's Hospital, Cork, whereby non-psychiatric patients are accommodated in St. Brigid's unit while psychiatric patients are provided for in a grossly overcrowded section; and what action he proposes to take to have the position remedied.
5.
asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that in Our Lady's Hospital, Cork, there is gross overcrowding and a lack of sufficient sanitary, cooking and recreational facilities; and if in view of this there are any proposals to alleviate the problem.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions 4 and 5 together.
I am aware of the overcrowding position in Our Lady's Hospital, Cork. The general problem of overcrowding and the use of existing beds is a matter for consideration in the first instance by the health authority. I understand that a special committee of the authority is at present dealing with the matter and its report is being awaited.
A number of steps have been taken in recent years to improve the position in Cork. A new admission and active treatment unit was provided in 1962. Two additional posts of medical superintendent were established in 1966 and in 1967 new psychiatric units were opened at Skibbereen and at Sarsfieldscourt. St. Brigid's unit was reconstructed in 1968. A number of improvements to St. Patrick's and St. Ita's have already been carried out and others are in hand and a major scheme of improvements for St. Kevin's unit is at the final planning stage. The post of professor of psychiatry has been created and was recently advertised.
The steps enumerated are designed not only to improve amenities in the hospital, but to permit the provision of more active treatment, so that the numbers requiring long-term care will be considerably reduced.
Could the Minister say how many psychiatric beds have been made available in Sarsfieldscourt?
I am afraid I have not that detail, or I cannot find it in the mass of information I have here.
Is the Minister aware that there has been overcrowding in Our Lady's Hospital, Cork, for many years and that the position is getting worse for both patients and staff?
I have indicated to the Deputy the progress that has been made and my Department is awaiting a report from a committee that is sitting to see how the position can be further improved.
