asked the Minister for Health if he is in a position to state what proposals, if any, his Department has in mind concerning improved hospital accommodation for the residents of the rural districts of Charleville and Mallow, County Cork, and whether he is aware of the delay in having people admitted for hospital treatment in the above areas, due to lack of accommodation in Mallow District Hospital.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Cork Hospital Accommodation.
When the limited short term programme of urgent hospital works was being drawn up, it was decided in consideration of the agreement that the new Mallow hospital would be used temporarily as a chest hospital that a small district hospital to be built at either Charleville or Mitchelstown should be included in the programme. As the Deputy is aware, the local authority decided that the hospital should be built at Mitchelstown. Consequently, the question of building a district hospital at Charleville has had to be deferred for consideration when a further hospital building programme is being drawn up.
The position as to general hospital accommodation in the Mallow-Charleville area will, of course, be greatly improved when the new Mallow hospital reverts to its original purpose on the completion of the southern regional sanatorium at Glanmire. Work on the sanatorium is proceeding satisfactorily and the foundations, under buildings and incidental works are at present under construction.
I am not aware that there is undue delay in having patients admitted to hospital for treatment in the areas referred to, due to lack of accommodation in Mallow District Hospital.
Is the Minister aware that there is roughly a lapse of five or six weeks before a patient can be admitted to hospitals in County Cork from that particular portion of the area?
No, not on my information, I must say.