Vol. 529 No. 1
711 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will comment on a recent survey published in a Sunday newspaper which found that nursing ratio per 100 beds at the Longford-Westmeath General Hospital in Mullingar is among the lowest in Ireland; his plans to improve this ratio; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2206/01]
I am aware of the newspaper report referred to by the Deputy. The number of nurses varies between hospitals depending on a variety of factors, including the type of hospital involved, the range of specialties available at the hospital and the agreed level of services being provided by the particular hospital.
The responsibility for the provision of services and staffing levels at Longford-Westmeath General Hospital rests with the Midland Health Board in the first instance. My Department has therefore asked the chief executive officer of the board to investigate the matter raised by the Deputy and to respond to him directly.
