Vol. 478 No. 7
89 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties associated with obtaining a long-stay bed for the elderly in the Eastern Health Board area; if his attention has further been drawn to the pressure placed on family and friends in such circumstances; the number of elderly people awaiting long-stay accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12199/97]
Limerick East): As the Deputy will be aware, the waiting lists for health board long-stay homes for the elderly vary from health board to health board depending on the stock of beds available. Some-boards have short waiting lists but the Eastern Health Board has long lists as its supply of public places is relatively small. The board inform me that there are currently 75 elderly people in acute hospitals who are awaiting care in a long-stay facility for the elderly.
Over the past few years the board has been endeavouring to increase the number of public long-stay beds for the elderly. Fifty additional places have been provided in Peamount and 17 in Leopardstown Park Hospital. New community nursing units and day facilities have been opened in Cuan Ros, Navan Road and on the site of the old Sir Patrick Dun's Hospital. In addition, between January 1995 and January 1997 the Eastern Health Board has contracted 90 beds in private nursing homes.
The board has also initiated the development of community ward teams in each of its community care areas to provide outreach care services for the elderly in their own homes. To date, a total of 23 such teams have been established. These teams are an invaluable source of care and support for the elderly in the community and their carers. The board has also established support groups for carers to ensure that they receive adequate support to help them cope with the stress of caring for elderly family members.
The Eastern Health Board is committed to the continued development of a range of services, both community and hospital-home based, to ensure that the elderly receive the level of care most appropriate to their medical needs.
