asked the Minister for Health if he will arrange to receive a deputation from the Dublin Health Authority to discuss solutions to overcrowding in St. Ita's and St. Brendan's Hospital and also to discuss the SEN grade in the authority hospitals.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Health Authority Hospitals.
11.
On 19th June, I received a request from the Dublin Health Authority for the reception of a deputation concerning the provision of 100 new beds at St. Ita's, Portrane, to replace the existing units 8A and 8B and 150 new geriatric beds in the health authority's area. On 16th March last, I had conveyed my views to the authority about the undesirability of developing very large centres for the mentally handicapped and suggested that the immediate and urgent problem at St. Ita's could be met by the transfer of geriatric patients who do not need the services of a mental hospital. A report furnished by the health authority on the 29th May about hospital requirements in the area did not deal specifically with the suggestion and the health authority were asked on 11th June to consider the matter further. When a full report is received I will consider the question of receiving a deputation to discuss the matter.
With regard to the grade of state enrolled nurse, I have dealt with the question of establishing such a grade in my replies to questions by Deputy Ryan on 7th May, 1969, and 5th May, 1970. My Department has recently written to the Dublin Health Authority on this question and on the general question of nurse staffing position in the authority's institutions. I understand that, following receipt of this letter, officers of the health authority have had discussions with representatives of An Board Altranais and that certain proposals resulting from these discussions will shortly be submitted to my Department. The question of discussions with officers of my Department or of my receiving a deputation from the health authority can be considered when these proposals have been received and examined.
Having regard to the disclosures of the rather appalling conditions in St. Ita's and the immense difficulties which have to be overcome— which, I think, the Minister recognises —in remedying the position there, would the Minister not endeavour to reduce the amount of correspondence and red tape by agreeing to meet a deputation at an early date when it might be possible to find a more expeditious solution than can be found by months and years of correspondence?
I have asked the officers of my Department to see, as soon as possible, the officers of the health authority on these proposals. As the Deputy may know, they relate to the training of student nurses in geriatric institutions. That will result in Dublin Health Authority being able to staff in a better way St. Mary's Hospital and the geriatric unit in Blanchardstown. That, in turn, will relieve the situation and, if all goes well, it will then be possible to go ahead in St. Ita's.
Would the Minister not agree that the real solution would be to get a great many of the geriatric cases out of these units and into local housing areas?
That would also be a solution but, in the first instance, we have to take the immediate solution.