asked the Minister for Health the number of beds in public wards which were closed down in each hospital in the Midland Health Board area.
Written Answers. - Bed Closures.
138.
The number of beds in public wards which have been closed in the Midland Health Board area are illustrated in the following table:
|
Hospital |
Number of Beds Closed |
|
Portlaoise General |
30 |
|
Tullamore General |
20 |
|
St. Mary's Mullingar (Geriatric) |
46 |
|
St. Fintan's Portlaoise (Psychiatric) |
39 |
|
St. Loman's Mullingar (Psychiatric) |
97 |
The Deputy should also note that the board have recently opened a number of day surgical beds as follows: six day beds in Portlaoise and nine in Tullamore.
The closure of beds in the two psychiatric hospitals was possible because the number of patients requiring long stay institutional care was reduced and a number of suitable patients were transferred to community based residences.