asked the Minister for Health if there is a geriatric assessment unit in each community care area; and, if not, the proposals he has to introduce same.
Written Answers. - Geriatric Assessment Units.
209.
Geriatric assessment units under the direction of general practitioners are in operation in a number of community care areas and have proved successful in improving services for the elderly. In addition, a number of hospitals have specialist geriatric departments under the direction of a physician in geriatric medicine. The Report of the Working Party on Services for the Elderly "The Years Ahead — A Policy for the Elderly" recommends the expansion of specialist geriatric departments providing assessment in general hospitals. The report also recommends that existing geriatric hospitals, long-stay district hospitals and welfare homes be developed as community hospitals providing a range of services including assessment units under the direction of general practitioners. I fully endorse the idea of a community hospital as recommended by the report.