Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 7 Feb 1991

Vol. 404 No. 8

Written Answers. - Drogheda, Louth, Hospital.

Michael Bell

Question:

45 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Health if his Department were advised by the North Eastern Health Board of the decision to close St. Mary's Geriatric Hospital, Drogheda, County Louth; if he directed the board to take the decision to close the hospital and transfer the patients to the Cottage Hospital; and if he has any plans to reconstruct the old maternity hospital of Our Lady of Lourdes into a new geriatric hospital to replace both St. Mary's and the Cottage Hospital.

Minister for Health (Dr. O'Hanlon)

There have been discussions between my Department and the North Eastern Health Board on the organisation of services for the elderly in the Drogheda area. These discussions centred mainly on the provision of a department of geriatric medicine at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital and the replacement of St. Mary's Geriatric Hospital which is in a poor state of repair. During these discussions the possibility of using the Drogheda Cottage Hospital for the care of long stay patients was raised and some elderly patients have now been transferred there from sub-standard accommodation in St. Mary's. The health board are renovating and extending the Cottage Hospital at present with a view to providing an extended service for the elderly; the position of St. Mary's Hospital will be considered further at that time. The health board have not sought my approval under section 38 of the Health Act, 1970 for the closure of St. Mary's Hospital.

My Department are currently considering the possible future use for the former maternity hospital of Our Lady of Lourdes including its use in the care of the elderly.