asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether his attention was directed to the statement of the County Dublin coroner, as reported in the newspapers on the 24th February, concerning the inadequacy of the arrangements for the immediate treatment of patients in Dublin hospitals; whether it was brought to his notice that the coroner, when inquiring into the death of a seven months' old child, expressed the view that if a house surgeon had at his disposal a central bureau which he could ring up and ask whether there was a vacancy for a patient, there would be little delay, and also stated that the delay in this case could have been an influence in causing the child's death; and whether in these circumstances he will state what action he proposes taking in the immediate future to organise a bed bureau system in connection with the Dublin hospitals.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Hospitals.
I read with regret the published report of the circumstances connected with the child's death. I have received no other information bearing on the case and I have no comment to make on any implications which the Deputy may desire to draw from the published report. The possibility of setting up a hospitals' bureau in Dublin to facilitate the admission of patients to hospitals has been under investigation, and I hope to be in a position to make an announcement thereon at an early date.