asked the Minister for Health if he will indicate the hospitals which accept acutely ill patients and which have not got an adequate intensive care unit.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Intensive Care Units.
25.
It is presumed that the Deputy's question relates to general hospitals and children's hospitals providing acute treatment at consultant level. There are 57 of these. Thirty-six of them have separate intensive care units. In the others there are either special intensive care areas in the wards which are suitably staffed and equipped or they have otherwise got the necessary medical equipment to provide intensive care where needed.
I am advised it is not necessary for every hospital to have a special intensive care unit. Furthermore, accidents and emergencies apart, hospitals will admit for treatment only patients who are within their capacity to treat. Where, following examination and diagnosis of a patient, including accident and emergency cases, care at a level not provided in the hospital is required, transfer arrangements to another hospital where this is available are routinely made.
The Minister is advised that it is not necessary to have these units, but does he consider them to be desirable? Will he ensure that these intensive care units will be available in all hospitals?
As I have said, there are separate intensive care units in 36 hospitals and there are special intensive care areas in wards which are suitably staffed and equipped or the necessary medical equipment to provide intensive care is supplied where necessary.
The Minister apparently misunderstood my question. I have asked him if he considers it desirable to have intensive care units in all these hospitals.
No, not in all hospitals.
Would he consider it desirable to have them in all general hospitals?
I assume all the hospitals I have designated would have intensive care units.
Can the Minister state how many there are at present?
I have not the actual locations; I have only the number of hospitals that have intensive care units.
Would it be the Minister's wish that all general hospitals would have intensive care units?
Yes.
The remaining Questions will appear on tomorrow's Order Paper.