asked the Minister for Health what progress has been made towards the provision of more maternity hospital beds on the north side of Dublin city.
42.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Hospital Accommodation.
41.
asked the Minister for Health the present proposals regarding the provision of additional maternity hospital facilities in Dublin north city.
With your permission a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions No. 41 and No. 42 together.
The authorities of Drumcondra Hospital, in response to a proposal which I put to them, have agreed, subject to satisfactory arrangements being worked out in regard to legal, financial and other matters, to hand over the hospital to the Rotunda Hospital authorities so that the buildings may be used to extend the maternity hospital accommodation in north Dublin.
My Department is in consultation with the Dublin maternity hospitals on the question of short-term and longer term needs and how they should be met in the Dublin area so that an agreed comprehensive programme can be formulated in good time before acute need arises.
Can the Minister state how many extra maternity beds the Rotunda Hospital will get by taking over administration of the Drumcondra Hospital?
Some 30 beds.
43.
asked the Minister for Health what progress has been made towards the provision of more beds in the surgical department at Temple Street Children's Hospital, to cope with the demand for ENT beds; and the number of children on that department's waiting list at the latest available date.
I feel that the provision of more surgical beds for ENT treatment at this hospital would not be justified at present. There are now 428 children on the waiting list of the ENT Department of the hospital as compared with 543 children last June when I answered a similar question from the Deputy in the matter. As mentioned in that reply, patients needing immediate attention are dealt with on the basis of urgency.
Does the Minister not think that one of the reasons for the decrease in the number of children on the waiting list is that medical practitioners in the area no longer refer children to Temple Street Hospital for ENT surgery? Some of the children have been waiting for two years.
I told the Deputy in reply to a previous question that I do not regard this as a priority. I have had plenty of advice from consultants and they differ about this matter. I do not think it is an urgent matter.
44.
asked the Minister for Health whether he is prepared to sanction proposals for certain reconstruction and renovation works at St. Mary's Hospital, Phoenix Park, Dublin.
I have received proposals from the Eastern Health Board for the carrying out of improvements at St. Mary's Hospital, including toilet facilities, reception area and physiotherapy department. I am, at present, reviewing the allocation of capital resources for 1972/73 and I hope to be in a position to inform the Eastern Health Board in the near future of my decision in regard to this project.