asked the Minister for Health in view of the grave shortage of beds for geriatrics in County Meath, the reasons for the small number of patients in the Infirmary, Navan, County Meath, and if he will ensure that the building is fully utilised.
Written Answers. - Meath Geriatric Beds.
183.
I do not accept that there is a grave shortage of geriatric beds in County Meath. While there are 36 beds in the County Infirmary, Navan, only 27 beds have been in use for some years past as nine beds on the top floor had to be taken out of commission because of fire risk.
Thirteen of the 27 beds are used for geriatric patients and the remaining 14 for post-operative convalescent patients from the orthopaedic unit at Navan. The percentage bed occupancy in relation to those 27 beds for the year 1978 was 89.6, which represents a high usage.
The Deputy may be referring to the position which arose some weeks ago when the beds for the convalescent orthopaedic patients were not being fully utilised as the operation list was curtailed due to the commission of a new operating suite in the orthopaedic unit in Navan. This work has now been completed and the admission of convalescent orthopaedic patients has been resumed.