Vol. 223 No. 2
asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that a woman (name supplied) suffered a stroke on 23rd January and was unable to get hospital accommodation up to the time of her death on 8th February; and, if so, in view of the home conditions and the fact that a nurse was able to call only for a short period, he will investigate this particular case and state if he is satisfied that adequate medical care was rendered to this person.
29.
asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that a woman (name supplied) aged 85 years, who needed medical care and hospitalisation for the first time in her life in January, 1966 was denied hospital accommodation in the local hospital; and, if so, if he is satisfied that she was accorded the services which were her due under the Health Acts.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 28 and 29 together.
Having considered the health authority's reports on the two cases referred to, I cannot agree with the Deputy's contention that the medical and nursing care provided were inadequate. I might add that I am satisfied that the responsible officers of the health authority were not in any way neglectful in their handling of either case.
May I assume from the Minister's reply that he is satisfied that a person such as the lady mentioned in this letter who suffered a stroke and subsequently died was not entitled to hospital accommodation? Is that our standard of health services at the present time?
The Deputy is twisting the facts. When this question was brought to my notice, I made a thorough examination of the situation, and I am quite satisfied, as I said in my reply, that the officers of the health authority were not in any way neglectful in the handling of either of these cases. I might add that in the second case referred to by the Deputy, he claimed that the lady should have been admitted to a bed that became vacant during her illness, and he raised the matter at a meeting of the Western Committee of the Cork Health Authority. It seems the members of the Committee of all Parties felt that no injustice had been done, and then Deputy Murphy said he would raise the matter in another place. I presume this is the other place. I also got from the Medical Union copies of the correspondence in which the doctor made a statement that his life is being made very difficult by Deputy Murphy. I do not hold any brief for doctors, in particular, but in this instance I am satisfied, beyond yea or nay, that the doctor acted in a reasonable and conscientious manner.
Will the Minister agree that when a complaint is made, the people who make the complaint should have the right to have their point of view put forward? In view of the fact that I would have about 20 supplementary questions to ask the Minister and in view of the unsatisfactory nature of his reply, with your permission, I propose to raise the subject matter of the Questions on the adjournment.
I shall communicate with the Deputy.
It is not the Minister's job to communicate with me. After what happened last Wednesday——
What happened last Wednesday? Why does the Deputy not join the Fine Gael Party? He is the greatest Fine Gael man in his constituency. What happened last Wednesday?
Is the Minister's heart all right?
