asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that dispensary doctors are unable to send poor patients or persons entitled to free medical attention to any of the Dublin hospitals because these doctors are not supplied with the necessary forms guaranteeing the payment of the expenses of the patient by the county council to the hospital concerned; and if, in view of the many urgent cases met with by dispensary doctors in North and South County Dublin areas, he will be prepared to grant facilities to the dispensary doctors in these areas similar to those in force in Balrothery and Rathdown areas.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Hospital Facilities for Poor Persons.
I assume that the Deputy's question applies to dispensary doctors in the Dublin public assistance area. The Dublin Board of Assistance provides hospital treatment in St. Kevin's Institution for persons eligible for medical assistance. All such persons requiring admission to hospital are admitted to this institution. If it is found on admission that special treatment is required for which there are no facilities in St. Kevin's Institution the case is transferred to a suitable extern institution. In fact, there are very few types of case which have to be so transferred as St. Kevin's Institution is a fully staffed and equipped medical and surgical hospital and, moreover, there have recently been made available for patients in the hospital the services of a number of consultants for specialist treatments. In the circumstances, I see no occasion to alter the present procedure.
The Minister is no doubt aware that the dispensary doctors in the Balrothery and Rathdown areas have certain powers in respect of poor patients and other persons entitled to free medical attention. Why not grant similar facilities to the dispensary doctors in the North and South County Dublin areas, so that they can send their patients to any hospitals to which they desire to send them?
There is no reason why they should not send them to the hospital that is named.