Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 April 2004
189 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Defence if a feasibility study has been undertaken to assess the possibility of converting St. Bricin’s military hospital to use as a civilian step-down facility; the present bed capacity of St. Bricin’s; the present in-patient occupancy rate of its capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10546/04]
View answerIn 2001, a feasibility study was carried out into an outline proposal from the Northern Area Health Board for the potential use of part of St. Bricin's hospital for acute day case ophthalmic surgery as a pilot project.
Detailed examination and analysis indicated that this project would not have been cost effective or attractive for the NAHB in terms of a limited throughput of civilian patient numbers as against a quite significant level of relative capital costs. In the event, the NAHB secured access to suitable facilities elsewhere in Dublin.
The Department is always available for discussions in the future if the NAHB, or any other public health agency, wishes to explore the potential for a mutually beneficial collaboration which would serve to enhance the respective service delivery priorities of the various parties.
The military authorities have advised that the present capacity of St. Bricin's hospital is 48; only ten are available at present due to refurbishment. The present in-patient occupancy rate of its capacity is 20%.
