asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether any schemes for the reservation of a special number of beds by any organisations are in operation in the Dublin hospitals; if so, if he is in a position to give detailed particulars of this aspect of the bed problem.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Hospital Bed Problem.
I am not aware of any such schemes. In two Dublin hospitals there are a number of beds reserved for patients treated under schemes of local authorities.
asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he is aware of the shortage of beds for non-paying patients in the Dublin hospitals; and if he will state what steps, if any, he proposes to take to provide such necessary accommodation.
At certain periods of the year difficulty is experienced in obtaining bed accommodation in Dublin hospitals. Since the establishment of the Hospitals Bureau the arrangements for the admission of patients to hospitals have been greatly facilitated. The difficulties attending the construction of new hospitals at present have been adverted to on previous occasions. As long as the present emergency lasts it is unlikely that the erection of any of the four new Dublin hospitals can be begun. Since 1930 the total number of additional beds provided has been (a) in general hospitals about 250; (b) in maternity hospitals, 161; and (c) in other hospitals 357, making 768 beds in all. Of these increases a good proportion took place, even since 1939, as is evidenced by the following figures:—General hospitals, 153; maternity hospitals, 44; and other hospitals, 66, making a total of 263 beds. Further steps are being taken to provide still more beds and will continue to be taken as and when the opportunity offers.