asked the Minister for Health the number of long-term elderly patients recently transferred out of St. Brendan's, Grangegorman, Dublin 7; where they have been transferred to; if the same care and facilities are available to them now as was the case in St. Brendan's and if he will outline the reasons for their transfer in the first instance.
Written Answers. - Long-term Elderly Patients.
89.
Sixty-five patients were recently transferred from St. Brendan's Hospital to the following accommodation: 25 patients to St. Ita's Hospital, Portrane; 25 patients to Cherry Orchard Hospital, Ballyfermot; 15 patients to James Connolly Memorial Hospital, Blanchardstown.
This measure is part of the Eastern Health Board's policy to decentralise services at St. Brendan's Hospital. These patients had been cared for in poor accommodation in St. Brendan's in which the heating was inadequate and which constituted a fire hazard. They have been moved to a better standard of accommodation where they are all accommodated at ground floor level. The facilities now available are much better than heretofore.