andDr. O'Connell asked the Minister for Health the total bed complement at (a) James Connolly Memorial Hospital, Blanchardstown, County Dublin, (b) Sarsfieldscourt, County Cork, and (c) Galway Regional Sanatorium; the average daily bed occupancy by (a) tuberculars and (b) other conditions in 1960 and 1965 and at the most recent date; and what are the proposed uses intended for these three institutions.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Hospital Accommodation.
6.
Dr. Browne
As part of the reply to this question is in the form of a tabular statement, I propose, with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, to circulate this part with the Official Report.
As information concerning the occupancy of the three hospitals is not available in the form requested, I have given the actual number of beds occupied on the 30th September in each of the three years 1960, 1965 and 1969. It is proposed in the immediate future to use part of James Connolly Memorial Hospital as a general hospital which will initially have 120 beds and to use the balance of the hospital for the accommodation of tuberculosis and geriatric patients. It is intended that, at a later stage, the general hospital will be developed further to meet the needs of an expanding population.
It is proposed that the services provided at Merlin Park Hospital will be integrated with those at the Regional General Hospital in Galway to form a major hospital complex providing specialist services for the western region and general medical and surgical services for an appropriate catchment area. It is proposed that St. Stephen's Hospital, Sarsfieldscourt, will be used mainly for the treatment of psychiatric patients.
Following is the statement:
Beds and Patients in Regional Sanatoria
|
Hospital |
Total Bed Complement |
Number of Beds Occupied on 30th September |
|||||
|
1960 |
1965 |
1969 |
|||||
|
Tuberculosis |
Non- Tuberculosis |
Tuberculosis |
Non- Tuberculosis |
Tuberculosis |
Non- Tuberculosis |
||
|
James Connolly Memorial Hospital |
534 |
470 |
27 |
296 |
85 |
264 |
145 |
|
Sarsfieldscourt |
469 |
317 |
43 |
168 |
38 |
119 |
100 |
|
Merlin Park |
683 |
339 |
174 |
139 |
295 |
62 |
434 |
Would the Minister state when this transformation at the James Connolly Memorial Hospital will take place?
I could not say that at this stage.
Could we expect it in the next six to 12 months?
I could not say that. I do not like to go in advance of present developments.
About these 100 beds—are they being used for anything at the moment? Is the hospital in full use?
There were 409 beds occupied on the 30th September, 1969, out of 534.
Would the Minister not agree that there is a certain element of urgency here in so far as domiciliary and ambulatory care, it is generally accepted now throughout the world, does not require hospitalisation of tuberculous patients and that some serious survey should be carried out in regard to them so that the beds are released for the great need of geriatric, mentally handicapped, psychiatric or other patients? There seems to be a great delay in the transformation, as Deputy O'Connell has suggested?
This is what we are examining as quickly as possible.
Would the Minister consider using these beds temporarily for geriatric cases, using part of the hospital temporarily for that purpose, seeing that there are so many beds unoccupied?
I have already answered a question on that. We do not want to make any arrangements for Blanchardstown Hospital which would prevent the coming into operation of the scheme whereby it is used as a general hospital jointly by the three hospitals I have mentioned.
(Interruptions.)
Question No. 7. I am calling Question No. 7. Would Deputies please allow questions to continue?