Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 24 Oct 2000

Vol. 524 No. 5

Written Answers. - Hospital Services.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

334 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the ongoing crisis for the young chronic sick within the Eastern Regional Health Authority area; the action taken by his Department since June 1997 to address the acute shortage of long-term places; the reason for the shortfall of places; the plans he has to meet this shortfall; if he has had any recent discussions with the Eastern Regional Health Authority or any of the regional health boards so that provision may be made in their 2001 service plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23188/00]

Róisín Shortall

Question:

335 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of rehabilitation places for the young chronic sick in the Eastern Regional Health Authority; the location of each; the number of persons waiting for such a service in the area; the average or typical waiting time among this group; his views on whether the number of places are adequate to meet the demand in a reasonable period of time; if he has had discussions with the Eastern Regional Health Authority or any of the regional health boards to finance or otherwise support the provision of additional places to meet this demand; if so, the progress to date in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23189/00]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin):

I propose to take Questions Nos. 334 and 335 together.

The need for further places for the young chronic sick – constant nursing care – is part of the overall picture in relation to pressures on acute hospital beds and also in relation to the service needs of people with severe physical disabilities.

There are currently 93 long-term residential places and sic respite places available for the young chronic sick in the Eastern Regional Health Authority area, in St. Mary's Hospital, Cherry Orchard Hospital and Peamont Hospital. A project team has recently been established by the ERHA to plan the provision of young chronic sick units in the ERHA region. It is proposed to provide one new unlit in each of the three area health boards and it is currently estimated that the units will take at least two years for completion. In the meantime, the ERHA will provide alternative placements in a number of private nursing homes for 15 young chronic sick and five individuals with brain injuries currently being cared for in the acute hospitals.

The ERHA also provides funding under section 65 of the Health Act, 1953, to the Ardeen, Barrett, Cara and Richmond Cheshire Homes. These homes currently provide 118 residential places and 12 respite places for people with physical disabilities.

I have referred the Deputy's question on numbers awaiting admission and waiting times for admission to young chronic sick units to the ERHA for direct reply.