asked the Minister for Health the present position regarding the future of Coole orthopaedic hospital. County Westmeath; if the Midland Health Board have any plans to acquire it; and if the staff will be retained in this event.
Written Answers. - Westmeath Hospital.
211.
On 20 November 1980 the trustees of St. Joseph's Hospital, Coole, issued a statement indicating that because of the continuing decline in the number of patients in the hospital and the more urgent needs in other areas for their services, the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul had decided to withdraw the Sisters from the hospital with effect from the middle of 1981. As a result the trustees have reluctantly decided that it will not be possible to maintain St. Joseph's as a viable orthopaedic hospital for children and they have decided to discontinue the admission of new patients.
The Midland Health Board and my Department were informed of these decisions on 22 November. The matter was considered at a meeting of the health board on 28 November and the board decided to discuss the future use of St. Joseph's with the authorities of the hospital.
In the statement of 20 November the trustees stated that they were seeking advice on how best to ensure the interests of the staff. However, I am not in a position at this stage to indicate the position regarding the future of the staff.