Vol. 432 No. 6
185 Mr. E. Walsh asked the Minister for Health if, during the last twelve months, the Eastern Health Board provided nursing home care to any person under the provisions of section 52 (1) of the Health Act, 1970; if not, if he will give the provision of the legislation under which such services were provided by the Eastern Health Board to persons requiring such services during the last twelve months; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The Eastern Health Board has, within the past twelve months, provided nursing care to persons with entitlements to inpatient services under section 52 of the Health Act, 1970, in its own institutions and by arrangement with other hospitals and homes. As far as arrangements with private nursing homes are concerned, the services have not been provided with direct reference to section 52.
I am aware of the comments of the Ombudsman in his report for 1992 about the provision of services in private nursing homes for persons eligible for services under section 52. The implications of his comments are being examined by my Department in the context of the Health (Nursing Homes) Act, 1990 which will be implemented shortly.
