Vol. 258 No. 1
asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that the Jervis Street Hospital drug centre is greatly hampered for lack of a small five to ten bed unit; if he will take immediate steps to recommend to the Eastern Health Board that such a facility be provided without delay either at St. James's Hospital or at some other hospital in the area.
21.
asked the Minister for Health whether he is aware that the drug centre at Jervis Street Hospital is greatly hampered in its expanding and badly needed service because of the lack of a medical officer of registrar status, who should be available at all times for the needs of the young drug addicts now attending the centre.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 20 and 21 together.
I am aware of difficulties which have arisen at Jervis Street Hospital—mainly in relation to the accident and casualty department—not in relation to the drug unit. These difficulties were the subject of discussion between representatives of the hospital, the Eastern Health Board and my Department on 13th instant. Arising from these discussions certain proposals are to be considered by the three bodies concerned. The Deputy will appreciate that I cannot give details of these proposals until the bodies involved have had an opportunity of examining them, but I am hopeful that a solution to all the difficulties will be forthcoming.
Can the Minister state how long this investigation will take? This appears to be a matter of considerable urgency. Did the Minister say that this has nothing to do with the drug advisory centre at Jervis Street Hospital, that it is a question relating to the casualty department? I may have misheard the Minister.
It is indirectly concerned with the drug unit. The Deputy must be aware that the main question related to the impinging of drug addicts upon the services of the accident and casualty department because of the fact that the drug unit already existed. We shall try to settle this question and get a suitable solution to the problem as quickly as possible because I am well aware of the difficulties.
