asked the Minister for Health the measures taken in the past 12 months to improve conditions for patients in St. Brendan's Hospital, Grangegorman, Dublin.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - St. Brendan's Hospital, Dublin
7.
A sum of approximately £1 million has been spent on improving conditions in St. Brendan's Hospital over the past 12 months.
These improvements include reconstruction work on certain units, the refurbishing and re-equipping of the hospital laundry, general painting and decorating and the upgrading of service roads to the hospital.
These developments are part of an on-going programme to improve the conditions in St. Brendan's and it will be my intention to continue to allocate funds for this purpose in so far as the total resources available to me will permit.
Is the Minister aware of a very dangerous situation presently existing in St. Brendan's Hospital where part of the building has collapsed and the rest of the main hospital is in danger of collapse? One patient was almost killed by a fall of four stone of plaster when the ceiling collapsed two days ago. I was up looking at the hospital and the whole situation there is now very dangerous. I appeal to the Minister—and I know the many demands made on him—to avert a tragedy and to do something very urgently and very definitely to save these patients who are at present in grave danger of their lives.
I am aware of the incident which occurred there. I arranged for the inspector of mental hospitals to visit St. Brendan's Hospital yesterday in connection with that incident. I have also spoken to the senior officer of my Department who is tomorrow to visit the hospital and has arranged for the programme manager of the Eastern Health Board to make alternative accommodation arrangements for 140 patients who are currently being evacuated. I agree with the Deputy that the situation in that particular area is very serious and we are treating it as such.
Portion of the ceiling ten to 12 feet in diameter, has fallen away. There is no case, fortunately, of anyone being seriously injured. Nevertheless, steps are being taken, and not only in regards to that unit. All patients from ward 8 were immediately evacuated and the programme manager has ordered the evacuation of patients from wards 8, 7, 4 and 2 which are in the block known as the North House which houses 140 patients. Immediate and urgent action is being taken in relation to that situation. These patients will temporarily be housed in unit 22, which is a completely renovated unit consisting of wards O, P, Q and R. The engineer who was sent to examine the section considers that it is unsafe for patient accommodation. I agree with his view.
In view of the very serious situation that exists, with the permission of the Chair I should like to raise the matter on the Adjournment.
I will communicate with the Deputy.