asked the Minister for Health whether he is aware that considerable difficulty is at the moment being experienced by medical officers in the Dublin area in securing hospital cots or beds for acutely ill infants who cannot be cared for at home; and whether he will take steps to deal with the situation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Hospital Accommodation for Infants.
8.
There has been heavy pressure over the past two months on the available hospital accommodation in Dublin for infants and this has been particularly marked in November.
I understand that the main reason for this is the heavy incidence of pneumonia and bronchial infections. The result has been that, despite the efforts of the Bed Bureau, it has not been possible to find accommodation for all such infants on a number of occasions. Pneumonia and bronchial infections are to some extent seasonal infections.
The question of taking exceptional steps to deal with outbreaks in Dublin of diseases such as those mentioned is primarily a matter for the Dublin Health Authority which is in close touch with the situation.
Would the Minister not agree that the situation obtaining over the past two months would not have occurred, if there were available a proper domiciliary medical service?
I am afraid I could not answer that question without notice.