Vol. 515 No. 6
164 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Health and Children further to Parliamentary Question No. 93 of 27 January 2000, the proposals, if any, he has to provide the required number of beds in view of the fact that the South Eastern Health Board was recently forced to contract nursing home beds for senior citizens outside the Water ford city area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6586/00]
As the Deputy is aware the South Eastern Health Board has responsibility for the provision of health services in the Waterford area. The board has advised that it has a number of priorities for 2000 in relation to the provision of services for older people in Waterford in accordance with the board's policy document, Towards the Golden Years, 1998-2011. These include the following: the continued upgrading of St. Joseph's Hospital, Dungarvan, through the commissioning of St. Enda's Ward; the completion of the refurbishment of St. Malachy's Ward in St. Patrick's Hospital, in conjunction with the Friends of St. Patrick's.
The board further advises that arising from the increase in medical admissions to Waterford Regional Hospital, the majority or which are older persons, an additional 18 bed medical unit was opened on a temporary basis at Waterford Regional Hospital in January last. The board plans to close these beds at the end of June when the fall-off in medical demand is anticipated and to re-open at the year end on a needs basis.
165 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Health and Children the proposals, if any, he has on the permanent retention of the 18 step-down type beds provided at Waterford Regional Hospital this winter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6587/00]
The provision of medical services in Waterford Regional Hospital is a matter for the South Eastern Health Board in the first instance. I understand from the board that 18 step-down beds were opened at the hospital in January for a temporary six month period as part of the board's response to the increased demand on medical services over the winter months and to assist in waiting list reduction. I understand that the board is currently progressing plans for the longer-term provision of step-down beds in Waterford city in the near future. My Department is in discussion with the management of the board in relation to its overall plans in this context.
