Vol. 473 No. 3
55 Miss M. Wallace asked the Minister for Health if he will give details of the project for St. Mary's Hospital, Drogheda, County Louth; and the additional beds, if any, being provided for geriatric patients in east Meath. [25049/96]
56 Miss M. Wallace asked the Minister for Health the bed shortage for geriatric patients throughout County Meath; and the way in which he plans to address this issue, particularly in the east Meath area. [25052/96]
Limerick East): The North-Eastern Health Board provides a total of 226 beds for the elderly in County Meath in St. Joseph's Hospital, Trim and the County Infirmary, Navan. In addition, east Meath patients are serviced by units for the elderly in Drogheda, namely the Cottage Hospital, Boyne View House and St. Mary's Hospital. There are also 360 private nursing home beds in the county. At present, there are no elderly patients in need of institutional care awaiting a bed in County Meath. There are also 14 vacant beds in nursing homes in the county.
With regard to the development at St. Mary's Hospital, Drogheda, I have recently approved tenders for the construction of a new 50 bed unit for the elderly at the hospital. Work has now commenced on site. This unit, when completed will serve the east Meath area and will replace the existing 39 bed facility at St. Mary's.
