asked the Minister for Health if, arising from the outcome of his Department's inquiry into the death of a person (details supplied) in County Cork, following his discharge from the Mercy Hospital, Cork on 26 October 1987, he intends to ask hospitals to review their procedures for the discharge or admittance of patients who are homeless; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers - County Cork Death.
58.
My Department issued a circular in March 1987 to each health board and voluntary hospital regarding arrangements for discharge from hospital and aftercare of homeless persons. The circular superseded the Department's original circular which issued in April 1985 and sets down the procedures to be adopted by hospitals in the identification and discharge of homeless persons so that they can be provided with the appropriate aftercare services.
It is intended to carry out a review of the experience of health boards, hospitals and relevant voluntary organisations on the operation of the revised procedures in March 1988 in order that any problems arising during the year can be identified and steps taken to further improve arrangements for the care of homeless people discharged into the community. This review will, of course, take account of the outcome of the inquiry referred to by the Deputy.