Vol. 489 No. 7
189 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Health and Children if plans for the upgrading or provision of an extension to the casualty department of Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, are under consideration in his Department; if so, if he will give details of the proposed work, estimated cost, likely timetable and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter in view of the fact that services and facilities seem very overstretched. [9640/98]
My Department recently approved additional funding of £200,000 to Beaumont Hospital for its accident and emergency department. This allocation will enable the hospital to improve staffing levels in its accidents and emergency department as well as upgrading the physical structure of the department. Specifically, it will allow the hospital to:
(1) Provide 24 hour, seven day per week registrar cover in the Department;
(2) Introduce 24 hour triage nursing service from 20 April 1998;
(3) Appoint a nurse practitioner and to upgrade junior ward sister posts;
(4) Upgrade the following: reception desk; public address system; new nurses' station and sub-station; painting and decorating; Purchase of replacement trolleys; upgrading of some toilet facilities.
The hospital authorities have advised me that all the above works will be carried out this year.
