Vol. 401 No. 5
19 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Health when he will instruct the Western Health Board to open some of the closed units in Merlin Park Hospital, Galway to alleviate the very serious overcrowding problem in the University Hospital, Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The provision of hospital services in the Galway area is a matter, in the first instance, for the Western Health Board. The question, therefore, of the steps to be taken to relieve overcrowding at University Hospital, Galway, is essentially one for the board. I understand that the board is formulating plans at present to address the situation.
I am however, glad to inform the Deputy that I recently approved the commissioning of a new day surgery unit at the University Hospital. This will help reduce significantly the waiting lists for surgical procedures and ease the pressure on the remainder of the hospital for inpatient accommodation.
The Minister and I are aware of the problems at University Hospital, Galway. I was in the hospital over the weekend and there are beds in all of the corridors all of the time. Yet, in Merlin Park unit 9 has been closed in the last two years during the term of this Government and the previous one. Unit 9, with 20 beds was closed; units 8, with 40 beds, was closed; unit 1, with 50 beds, was closed and unit 10 with 122 beds. That is the situation in Merlin Park. Yet patients are being discharged from University Hospital before they are fit to go home while we have proper facilities available in Merlin Park.
Deputy McCormack, I want to facilitate you in eliciting information but we must proceed by way of supplementary questions.
If I had got an answer to my first question I would not have needed to go on to supplementaries. All I want to know is when, in the name of God, will the Minister direct the Western Health Board, and provide the finance, if necessary, to open some of the units in Merlin Park which would alleviate the chaotic situation in University Hospital and result in the proper treatment of patients and end the discharging of patients too soon from University Hospital in Galway? Will the Minister please open the units in Merlin Park and let us get a bit of sanity back into the health services in Galway?
The Minister for trolleys.
In 1990 we have allocated in excess of £118 million to the Western Health Board for its budget. Under the 1970 Health Act the statutory responsibility for administering health services in that board area is a matter for the chief executive officer and his team. As a result of representations from the board and at the request of the Minister, I examined the situation. The Minister himself examined the situation and allocated almost £0.5 million to open the surgical unit. There are almost 500 beds available in Galway Regional Hospital and University College Hospital, for ten specialities. There are almost 300 beds available in Merlin Park Hospital for five specialities, and as far as we are concerned — and the Western Health Board knows this — we are totally committed to ensuring that the resources are made available to the board, as they become available, to ensure that those who need a service get it.
The question is about Merlin Park Hospital. Why does the Minister not open it.
It is open. There are 300 beds there.
Please open the units you closed and alleviate the problems.
The time for questions is over.
I would like to raise a matter which I raised this morning.
If it is in order, Deputy.
I put down a Private Notice Question this morning dealing with the escalation of the strike at poultry plants right across the country from tomorrow morning. I was hoping that you would allow the question, but your office informed me that you would not because of lack of urgency. I have to say, a Cheann Comhairle, that I disagree with your decision because the strike is being escalated tomorrow morning and it is of the gravest urgency to the whole industry——
With respect, the Deputy may not challenge my rulings in the House in this fashion. I recollect that my office were in touch with you and informed you of the position. Not only that, but the matter to which you refer was a subject matter for debate on the Adjournment of this House recently. My office also advised you that you have an opportunity of raising this matter on the Estimate for Agriculture and Food tomorrow and that your question was, indeed, anticipatory of that situation. I am surprised at the Deputy adopting this kind of attitude.
I am sorry, a Cheann Comhairle, but tomorrow will be too late.
It is not in order now, Deputy. The Deputy will desist from any further interruption of the proceedings.
I warned the Minister before that this escalation was going to happen. I am sorry that the Minister has not been given the opportunity in this House to tell us what he has done.
Deputy Cotter, I must ask you to resume your seat.
A Cheann Comhairle, I really have to continue with this matter because the industry could be in chaos by this time tomorrow.
Deputy Cotter, I asked you to obey the Chair and resume your seat. I must now ask you to leave the House.
You are very harsh with me.
Leave the House forthwith, Deputy Cotter; otherwise, I will have you named.
I will leave but——
You will leave now, Deputy Cotter.
I will leave now but I have to register my indignation in this matter.
