Tony Gregory
Question:149 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Defence if St. Bricin's Military Hospital is used to full capacity. [5808/03]
Written Answers - Defence Forces Property.
St. Bricin's Military Hospital can currently provide in-patient accommodation for up to 53 in-patients, a full pharmacy service and a wide range of out-patient services for members of the Defence Forces. Out-patient services provided include primary care services, post hospital reviews, ENT, ophthalmology, psychiatry, physiotherapy, radiology, pathology and dental services, including periodontal treatment. There are currently 44 beds in active use while a further nine beds are available for immediate use, and there are a further 27 beds in a reserve ward. The total number of patients admitted during 2002 was 117 and the total number of bed days was 1,080. Out-patient attendances to the hospital for 2002 came to 10,918.
At present there are four medical officers, one dental officer and two pharmacists serving in the hospital. There are also two civilian doctors providing a part-time service to out-patients. The most dominant factor influencing service delivery at St. Bricin's Hospital is medical manpower. The hospital is working to capacity in the light of available personnel resources. The hospital is not equipped, and would not have the staffing resources, to provide additional more sophisticated or other specialist services, other than those provided at present.