asked the Minister for Health if he will state what steps have been taken since February 18th last to provide improved accommodation for the patients and staff of the Newcastle Sanatorium, County Wicklow; and if improvement has been effected since that date whether he will be prepared to defray the cost by a grant under the Hospitals Acts, 1933-1940.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Newcastle Sanatorium.
The work of erecting two new ward blocks, containing an additional 80 beds, for which arrangements had been made on 14th February, 1947, and of providing new recreation rooms for patients, which had been approved on 9th February, 1946, has continued since 18th February last. A 100 per cent. grant from the Hospitals Trust Fund will be made available for these works, the ordinary cost of which will, it is estimated, be in the region of £110,000. In addition, improvements agreed to on 4th March, 1948, are being made in the existing accommodation for patients and in the facilities for surgical treatment. The work on these improvements is proceeding. The full cost of this work, estimated at £3,000, will be met by a grant from the Hospitals Trust Fund.
The previous Administration approved in principle of the erection of a staff home. Pending the building of such a home, the sanatorium authorities are in process of acquiring a house near the sanatorium for the accommodation of some of the nursing staff. The purchase price of the property is £10,000 and a grant of £7,500 is being made available out of the Hospitals Trust Fund. The acquisition of this house will make available 25 additional beds at a very early date for the accommodation of tuberculous patients. This is only one of the many immediate ways in which I am attempting to deal with the gross inadequacy of bed accommodation for such patients.