asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that the closure of two wards at St. Fintan's Hospital, Portlaoise, has resulted in a serious restriction on the availability of geriatric beds at Mountmellick and Abbeyleix geriatric hospitals; if he will make sufficient funds available to the Midland Health Board to have the problem resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Transfer of Geriatric Patients.
123.
I am aware that over a period of months the Midland Health Board transferred some 22 elderly patients with their consent, from St. Fintan's Hospital to Mountmellick and Abbeyleix geriatric hospitals which have a total complement of 254 beds.
The board has indicated that patients are continuing to be admitted to these two long-stay geriatric hospitals, both from acute hospital and by referral from general practitioners. The needs of the area in this regard are kept under constant review by the board and I have had no proposal from the board for the provision of additional accommodation in County Laois.
I am pleased to see that the health board has been able to arrange for the transfer of the patients in question to more suitable accommodation. This is in line with the policy advocated in the report "Psychiatric Services — Planning for the Future".