Vol. 421 No. 8
181 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Health if he will give details of the facilities being closed down in Letterkenny General Hospital, County Donegal during the summer months; if he will outline (1) the number of (a) wards, (b) beds and (c) other services affected and (2) the estimated saving resulting from these measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The North-Western Health Board advised me that they closed 30 beds on 8 June 1992 until 2 August 1992 and that it is intended to close another 32 beds in July to 2 August 1992. The specialities involved are medical and surgical. No speciality service is discontinued as a result of these measures. Bed closures are planned to coincide with periods when staff are on annual leave and has been the practice for a number of years. All emergency and urgent services will, of course, continue to be provided. The board estimates that it is intended to save £75,000 to £100,000 through summer bed closures.
