asked the Minister for Health what increase in bed allocation and other facilities has taken place for the geriatric patients of County Galway from 1971 to date.
Written Answers. - Care of Galway Geriatric Patients.
74.
Since 1971 three new welfare homes containing a total of 104 beds have been provided for suitable elderly people in County Galway. These homes are at Clifden (42 beds), Galway (40 beds) and Tuam (22 beds). A fourth welfare home with 40 beds is being built at Carraroe and is due to be completed next year.
There are day care centres at the welfare homes in Clifden and Galway. Another day care centre is being built at present in Loughrea.
A geriatric physician took up duty at Merlin Park Hospital in January, 1975, and a 28-bed geriatric assessment unit was opened at the hospital early in 1976.
Community Care services for the aged have also been improved. The home help service commenced in 1972 and there are now 297 home helps in County Galway. Since 1972 meals-on-wheels are being provided for the elderly at Galway City, Ballinasloe, Gort, Loughrea and Tuam. This service is provided by voluntary organisations but is subsidised by the Western Health Board. The number of Public Health Nurses in County
Galway increased from 45 in 1971 to 57 at present and this number will increase further next year. The duties of these nurses include domiciliary care for old people.