Vol. 483 No. 2
115 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will review the availability of step-down hospital facilities in Dublin and, particularly, on the Northside, to identify action that would be taken to allow beds in acute hospitals to be vacated by recuperating patients and to allow a greater throughput of elective surgery. [19805/97]
As the Deputy is aware, the provision of hospital services in Dublin is a matter for the Eastern Health Board in the first instance.
The Eastern Health Board has put in place in recent years the following services which have allowed older patients who have completed the acute phase of their medical treatment to transfer to the level of care which is appropriate to their medical needs: 280 additional intermittent-respite, convalescent-rehabilitation and extended care places; 60 additional day care places; 23 community ward teams which support older people in their homes and a rehabilitation/stroke day service at Baggot Street Hospital.
It is also proposed by the Eastern Health Board to build further community units for older people strategically located throughout its area to meet the increasing needs of older people in the light of the demographic information available. A community unit is nearing completion at South Circular Road, and further units are planned for Glasnevin, Raheny, Beaumont, as well as Dalkey and north Kildare. These units will include a full spectrum of services including respite-intermittent care, convalescent/rehabilitation care, extended care and day care.
In addition to the above, patients who wish to avail of step-down care from an acute hospital setting can do so in Caritas and Beaumont convalescent homes and are entitled to financial assistance from the board.
