Vol. 415 No. 8
61 Mr. G. O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if, in view of the serious situation at the Cork Regional Hospital regarding the replacement of equipment, he will outline the action he proposes to take; if special funding will be made available to replace this necessary equipment; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The Southern Health Board have recently submitted a detailed list of equipment requirements at Cork Regional Hospital to my Department. This is being examined in my Department at present in association with the board. Decisions on the provision of additional funds for the purchase of equipment for Cork Regional Hospital will depend on the resources available to me and the competing capital priorities in the health services.
The Deputy will be pleased to learn that, in 1991, my Department approved capital grants of £1 million for the provision of equipment at Cork Regional Hospital.
62 Mr. G. O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the serious shortage of beds in the Cork Regional Hospital over the past two weeks; the action he proposes to take to alleviate the problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
There has been an increase in medical admissions to Cork Regional Hospital in recent weeks. Some elective admissions have been cancelled due to pressure on beds. This is a normal feature of hospital activity at this time of year. However, emergency cases continue to be admitted as usual and the hospital authorities are satisfied that there are sufficient beds to meet the demands being placed upon the hospital at present.
My Department have been monitoring the situation and will continue to do so.
