asked the Minister for Health if he will outline his proposals for the development of health services in the south Dublin city area; if it is intended to provide any additional funding for Baggot Street Hospital, Dublin 4; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - South Dublin Health Services.
224.
Hospital services in south Dublin are being developed on a phased basis.
The major phase of the development of St. James's Hospital has been completed and is in the process of being commissioned.
The planning of the new hospital in Tallaght is proceeding rapidly and construction work is due to commence in late 1990 or early 1991. The services provided by the Meath, Adelaide and National Children's Hospital will provide the nucleus of the new hospital.
The services at present provided at the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital will transfer to other hospitals in the near future as part of the reorganisation of specialist services in the Dublin area. Discussions with the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital and those hospitals taking on the services are now at an advanced stage.
In the Dublin south-east area it has been decided that general hospital services will be provided by three hospitals, i.e. St. Vincent's, Elm Park; St. Columcille's, Loughlinstown and St. Michael's, Dún Laoghaire. Discussions on the provision of the services on an integrated basis are continuing with these hospitals.
In relation to psychiatric services, the Eastern Health Boards are continuing the implementation of the report, "Planning for the Future". Community psychiatric services are being developed in the Dublin south city area. In the past number of years the board have acquired facilities in Milltown, Tallaght, Crumlin, Harolds Cross, and Clondalkin, for use as mental health centres, housing sector teams, day hospitals/day centres. This is in addition to a network of hostels and workshops.
With regard to community services there are proposals to build a number of health centres in the south city area and to improve existing facilities. These proposals include the provision of major centres at Tallaght and Clondalkin.
As regards the development of mental handicap services, a survey has been produced by the Eastern Health Board in conjunction with the major services providing agencies in the region which quantifies the needs for further residential and day activity provision for people with a mental handicap. This survey is being used as the basis for establishing an action plan for the development of services.
With regard to Baggot Street Hospital the position is that the Eastern Health Board took over responsibility for the provision of services at this hospital in January 1988. Accordingly, the level of funding to be allocated to Baggot Street is a matter for decision by the health board.
A full range of the services currently being provided at the hospital is:
(a) In-Patients
|
Long stay beds |
35 |
|
Respite beds |
15 |
|
G.P. beds |
13 |
(b) Day Care Unit
20 places available, physiotherapy and occupational therapy services provided.
(c) Community Health Centre
Services provided include:
Allergy Clinic
X-Ray (O.P.D.)
Psychology (O.P.D.)
Physiotherapy
Continence Clinic
Speech Therapy
Audiometry
Dental Clinic
Child Health Clinic
Developmental Clinic
Domicilary, physiotherapy service
Phlebotomy Service
AIDS Unit
Local Office for registration of Births
Deaths and marriages
Services at Baggot Street Hospital also include psychiatric out-patient clinics and a recently opened alcoholism treatment unit. This unit is gradually taking over services previously provided at in-patient level and resources will be deployed to meet the demand as it arises. A similar treatment unit is also planned for Tallaght and will come on stream shortly.