Seamus Kirk
Question:49 Mr. Kirk asked the Minister for Health the future plans, if any, he has for St. Brigid's Psychiatric Hospital and St. Joseph's Geriatric Hospital, Ardee, County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2849/95]
Written Answers. - Ardee (Louth) Hospitals.
Limerick East): In line with the recommendations of the report Planning for the Future published in 1984 the North-Eastern Health Board is continuing to develop its community based psychiatric service. This has led to a steady decline in the number of in-patients in St. Brigid's, as patients are transferred to more appropriate community settings. It is anticipated that this policy will lead to a further reduction of in-patient numbers over the coming two to three years. The provision of a 26 bed acute psychiatric unit in Our Lady's Hospital, Navan will also contribute to the reduction of in-patient numbers in St. Brigid's, Ardee.
It is also foreseen that heavy demands will be made on St. Joseph's Hospital in future to expand the service for the elderly with the provision of day hospital and other out-patient services.
As part of its policy to improve and enhance its health services, the North-Eastern Health Board has commissioned a development study of its properties and lands, including St. Brigid's and St. Joseph's Hospital, to ensure its assets are used in the most appropriate manner to meet the needs and demands now being placed on the health services in this region. The main conclusion from the development study is that St. Brigid's and St. Joseph's are buildings of a very high quality which have great potential for future use in the context of the developing health services of the Ardee area and its catchment.
The management of the North-Eastern Health Board is presently engaged in reviewing the study in the context of its services plans. In addition to its existing facilities for the psychiatric and geriatric services the board will also be seeking to provide facilities for general practitioners, dental surgeons, speech therapists, social workers, child care services, mental health services, different types of community nursing as well as paramedical services at Ardee. The development study will assist the board in identifying suitable facilities for these services in the Ardee area.
The motivation of the North-Eastern Health Board in commissioning the development study is to maximise the opportunities that arise from the physical infrastructure in Ardee and to link them directly with the service developments which will now be considered by the management team and the board.