Vol. 513 No. 1
399 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason there are some beds lying vacant at St. Mary's Hospital, Mullingar, County Westmeath, in spite of the major shortage of long stay beds for elderly patients; his views on whether this situation pertains due to the failure of the Midland Health Board to provide the necessary staff to ensure that these beds could be utilised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1159/00]
The responsibility for the provision of health services in County Westmeath lies, in the first instance, with the Midland Health Board. I have been advised by the Midland Health Board that all beds in St. Mary's Hospital are now full. I have been informed that earlier this month there were some vacancies in St. Mary's but these beds have now been utilised mainly by patients transferred from the general hospital. To enable these transfers, some additional nursing cover was provided.
