Vol. 505 No. 3
161 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Health and Children when the next phase of the development programme for Mullingar general hospital will be sanctioned; the target date for completion of all essential works; the reason for the delay; and the regional specialities that will be based at the hospital. [13575/99]
171 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of medical and surgical beds at Mullingar general hospital, County Westmeath; the occupancy rate of those beds for November 1998 to February 1999; his view of whether there was overcrowding at this hospital over that period; his further views on whether the provision of additional beds in the empty four storey block would relieve this problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13682/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 161 and 171 together.
The question of reviewing the brief for the phase 2B development of Longford/Westmeath general hospital and drawing up a programme for carrying out the work involved is a matter for the Midland Health Board in the first instance.
There are 52 surgical and 57 medical beds in Longford/Westmeath general hospital at present. During the period November 1998 to February 1999 all beds were open except for a three week period from 14 December 1998 when 17 beds were closed. The percentage occupancy for the year 1998 in the surgery beds was 49.78 per cent and in medical beds 119.44 per cent. This medical bed occupancy reflects the fact that most emergency admissions are medical patients and this would be particularly prevalent in the winter months.
