Vol. 476 No. 7
139 Mr. Davern asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied with the provision of facilities at the ENT unit at St. Michael's Hospital, Clonmel, County Tipperary; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the bathing and toilet facilities are inadequate for patients and staff; if he has received any request from the South-Eastern Health Board in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8117/97]
Limerick East): Monitoring of the standards of care provided for patients in psychiatric hospitals is carried out by the inspector of mental hospitals.
In his most recent report of inspection of St. Michael's Unit, St. Joseph's Hospital, Clonmel, which is the acute psychiatric admission unit for South County Tipperary, the inspector notes that there have been some improvements in conditions generally in the unit since his last inspection in the preceding year but recommends the upgrading of the ECT facilities.
The South-Eastern Health Board is responsible for the delivery of health services, including mental health services, in its functional area. The board has identified the upgrading and refurbishment of St. Michael's Unit as a priority for the development of a modern psychiatric service for Tipperary South.
As the Deputy will be aware, a range of mental health facilities for the South Tipperary area are being progressed and every effort will be made to assist the board in relation to St. Michael's Unit subject to the availability of the necessary capital funding.
