asked the Minister for Health why no changing room for nurses was provided in the new day hospital in St. Kevin's Hospital. Dublin; if steps will be taken to provide such essential accommodation without delay; and if his Department will require such accommodation in all like establishments in future.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - St. Kevin's Hospital, Dublin.
8.
The provision of facilities for nurses to change from their outdoor clothes in all hospitals employing nurses who live outside the hospital is so fundamental and the need so apparent to all hospital authorities that I see no need to instruct them in the matter. The nature of the facilities will, of course, vary from hospital to hospital according to numbers involved and the layout of the buildings.
I have no information as to why a changing room was not provided n the building to which the Deputy refers nor do I accept that such is necessary if the facility is provided in an alternative convenient situation. It is a matter for the hospital authority to decide how and where it should be provided.
Is the Minister not aware that St. Kevin's Hospital is not a building? There are at least a dozen buildings there, all separate. In fact, the distance between the front and the back is about a mile.
It is a matter for the health board to make these arrangements.