I propose to take Questions Nos. 56 to 61, inclusive, together. I have had these matters investigated by the Western Health Board and the position is as follows:
On receipt of the notification of discharge of homeless persons, the director of community care and medical officer of health make the necessary arrangements in relation to appropriate aftercare including medical and nursing services. A liaison public health nurse has been appointed for the Galway community care area who provides appropriate nursing care after discharge if required.
The patient was assessed as medically fit for discharge by a consultant physician on 2 February 1989. The decision to discharge a patient from hospital is a function of the consultant under whose care he/she is. In this case, the decision to discharge was made after all medical and social aspects were considered by the consultant physician. He was, in fact, discharged to Fairgreen House, Galway, which is a hostel for homeless persons. A medical card was granted to the patient on 13 February 1989.
The patient was in receipt of £37 per week supplementary welfare allowance, plus £10 per week rent allowance, up to last week. He was also granted £43 for a deposit on a flat which he has now vacated, and returned to Fairgreen House. He will continue to receive £37 per week supplementary welfare allowance.
On a previous discharge on 17 Janaury 1989, the patient was given an outpatient appointment for 2 February 1989, which he did not attend as he was an inpatient again on that date. He was examined by a consultant physician and assessed as medically fit for discharge on that date. The decision to recall a patient to outpatient is a clinical matter for the consultant under whose care the patient is.