Vol. 480 No. 6
243 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will expand the physiotherapy section at the Sacred Heart Hospital, Castlebar, County Mayo, in view of the fact that the lack of space is sorely hindering the work carried on there and further in view of the situation of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [14311/97]
244 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason for the lack of staff and physiotherapists at the Sacred Heart Hospital, Castlebar, County Mayo; and if he will increase the staff in this hospital in view of the situation of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [14312/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 243 and 244 together.
The provision of physiotherapy services at the Sacred Heart Hospital, Castlebar, is a matter for the Western Health Board.
The board has identified the need to improve physiotherapy facilities at the hospital, and following discussions between the board and my Department, it is the intention to undertake the necessary improvements in this area in 1998.
As part of the development of services for older people, my Department has made available additional resources to the Western Health Board in recent years for the purposes of improving staffing levels in extended care facilities. Staffing levels at the Sacred Heart Hospital have been improved as a result of this additional allocation and I am informed that the board plans to increase the physiotherapist complement at the hospital at an early date.
I intend to continue the programme of improving the staffing of extended care facilities for older people as resources permit.
I have asked the Chief Executive Officer of the Western Health Board to investigate the particular case raised by the Deputy and to respond directly to him.
