asked the Minister for Health if he will review the arrangements made between his Department and the authorities of St. Joseph's Unit, Our Lady's Hospice, Harold's Cross, Dublin, which limited rehabilitation to geriatric cases over 65 years of age, in view of the fact that the hospice has now been developed along modern lines as an active rehabilitation centre dealing mainly with rheumatological disorders and the average age of patients is 50 to 55 years.
Written Answers. - Dublin Rehabilitation Centre.
299.
Mr. Kitt
The original arrangement for St. Joseph's Unit, Our Lady's Hospice, was that rehabilitation would be limited to persons over 65 years. It was recently stated in connection with a proposal for extra staff for the unit, that the average age of patients being treated in the unit is 50-55 years.
The advice of the National Rehabilitation Board was sought on the matter and the reply of the board was received in my Department on 18th July, 1973. The reply is being considered and I expect that my review of the arrangement will be completed very shortly.