Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 30 May 1972

Vol. 261 No. 4

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Transfer of Medical Services.

10.

asked the Minister for Health whether it is proposed to transfer maternity and other services from Loughlinstown hospital to Holles Street hospital, Dublin; and, if so, what effect this is likely to have on the standard of services available to people in Bray and Wicklow and on the nursing staff in Loughlinstown hospital.

Arising out of the considerable increase in the demand for hospital care for maternity patients in the Dublin area consideration is being given to the possiblity of an arrangement involving Holles Street hospital and the maternity unit at Loughlinstown in order to deal more effectively with the situation.

The maternity unit at Loughlinstown is appreciably underused, whereas there is very great pressure on the bed accommodation at Holles Street. Both hospitals draw patients from Dún Laoghaire, South Dublin and Wicklow and joint arrangements for the better use of their facilities would be to the general advantage of the maternity cases in these areas. The basis on which joint arrangements might be worked is under active consideration but no decisions have so far been taken. In any proposals for the better use of available resources the interests of the staff at Loughlinstown hospital would, of course, be taken fully into account.

The Minister indicated that the maternity unit at Loughlinstown is considerably underused.Would it not be a better proposal to make available added areas for the service of the unit in Loughlinstown rather than to consider closing that unit? I take it there is no question of closure?

There is no question of closure.

What is being considered is a question of control?

This matter is still being discussed and I can see that difficulties could arise. There is the question of whether some or all of the beds in Loughlinstown should be used for post-confinement purposes. The nursing staff at Loughlinstown naturally felt that this would take away from the character of the work they were doing. There is also the question that Holles Street Hospital naturally felt if they were to undertake the management for maternity services they would have to have some definite control. Between one argument and another the matter is still under consideration and no decision is being taken. The Deputy can be assured that the services at Loughlinstown will still continue to be used.

Perhaps the Minister would take into account the fact that Loughlinstown Hospital also serves the Dún Laoghaire and Bray areas and so does St. Michael's Hospital, both of which areas are a considerable distance from Holles Street Hospital. The patients and their relatives are most anxious that both of these units would remain in operation as maternity centres.

All that is being taken into consideration.

Is the Minister aware that this particular recommendation is not a recommendation of the Eastern Health Board but rather that of the Department of Health? Surely he has power other than just to scrap a maternity unit like that, which has served north Wexford, Wicklow, Dún Laoghaire and south County Dublin? The reasons given do not seem to be adequate for the withdrawal of the maternity unit at Loughlinstown. It is the only such maternity unit in the south Dublin area.

Barr
Roinn