Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 20 Nov 1997

Vol. 483 No. 2

Written Answers. - Health Services.

Marian McGennis

Question:

18 Ms M. McGennis asked the Minister for Health and Children the current situation regarding the provision of a continuing role for the Meath Hospital, Dublin 8 following the transfer of medical services to the new Tallaght Hospital, Dublin 24; if his Department will give particular consideration to meeting the identified need for rehabilitation and day care services for the elderly and a local casualty service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19811/97]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Dr. Moffatt)

The new hospital in Tallaght will incorporate the services currently being provided at the Adelaide, the Meath and the National Children's Hospital, together with acute psychiatric services currently being provided at St. Loman's Hospital.

The Meath Hospital is a voluntary hospital and has full ownership of its site. When the services transfer to Tallaght, the hospital site, like the sites of the Adelaide and the National Children's Hospital, will be sold as the premises will no longer function as acute hospitals. Since agreement was reached on the development of the new hospital — the Adelaide and Meath Hospital, Dublin, incorporating the National Children's Hospital — it has always been understood that the three constituent hospitals would close once the new hospital is opened. However, my Department, with the Eastern Health Board and the hospitals concerned, is currently examining the health service needs of the south inner city catchment population following the transfer of the acute hospital services to Tallaght.

The Eastern Health Board is providing a range of services for older people in the south inner city. A 25 bed community nursing unit which has respite, extended care and day care facilities, is operating at Sir Patrick Dun's Hospital. A 50 bed community nursing unit which will provide similar services at the South Circular Road is nearing completion and is planned to open in 1998. The Eastern Health Board has, in addition, identified the need to provide secondary rehabilitation, extended care and day hospital facilities for older people living in the area surrounding the Meath Hospital. The possibility of acquiring the Meath Hospital campus for these and other primary care services is being examined.

Casualty services in the Dublin area are planned and co-ordinated by the accident and emergency steering group under the chairmanship of the Eastern Health Board's programme manager. Sympathetic consideration will be given to any proposals which the steering group may put forward, following the transfer of services from the Meath Hospital to Tallaght.