Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 17 Apr 1991

Vol. 407 No. 1

Written Answers. - Hospital Bed Closures.

Gerry O'Sullivan

Question:

287 Mr. G. O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the number of hospital beds closed down within (a) the Southern Health Board area and (b) the area in Cork city represented by the County Borough of Cork since February 1987.

Minister for Health (Dr. O'Hanlon)

A total of 647 hospital beds have been closed in the Southern Health Board area since February 1987. Of these, 306 were in Cork city. These figures include long term care and psychiatric beds as well as general hospital beds.

As part of the rationalisation of hospital services in Cork city, services provided at the North Charitable Infirmary transferred to the Mercy Hospital in 1987. In January 1985, the then Government announced their decision to close the Cork Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital. The two specialist services provided at this hospital, i.e., ENT and ophthalmology, transferred to superior accommodation at the South Infirmary-Victoria Hospital and Cork Regional Hospital respectively.

As regards psychiatric beds, I might point out that there has been an overall reduction in the number of patients in psychiatric hospitals in recent years. This reduction has emerged from the implementation of the policy outlined in the report on the development of the psychiatric services,Planning for the Future, where the psychiatric services are changing from an institutional to a community-based service.

The Kenny Review Group, which I have established, is at present examining all aspects of acute hospital services in Cork city and county. I look forward to the group's recommendations on the organisation and distribution of services.