asked the Minister for Health the Number of fever hospitals in Ireland; the total number of beds; the average bed occupancy of these hospital; the future of these as fever hospitals having regard to the decrease in admissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fever Hospital Statistics.
32.
The number of fever hospitals at present is eight, totalling 613 beds in all. The bed occupancy figures as at 31st December, 1971 range from 87 per cent for Galway to 27 per cent in New Ross. I propose, with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, to circulate the detailed information about bed numbers and occupancy of each fever hospital with the Official Report.
The future of the fever hospital is kept under review having regard to the continuing role they can play in the treatment of infectious disease and as a reasonable reserve to cope with possible epidemics. Over the years as the incidence of infectious disease has fallen—as it has in dramatic fashion—fever hospitals have been closed as such. As compared with the position 10 years ago, seven fever hospitals have since been closed.
This process can be expected to continue.
The following is the information mentioned:
The bed complement and occupancy figures of all fever hospitals for the year ended 31st December, 1971 were:
|
Cherry Orchard, Dublin |
230 beds |
75.9 per cent occupancy |
|
Vergemount, Dublin |
129 beds |
72.9 per cent occupancy |
|
St. Finbarr's, Cork |
68 beds |
79.6 per cent occupancy |
|
Galway |
42 beds |
87 per cent occupancy |
|
Killarney, Co. Kerry |
44 beds |
78.4 per cent occupancy |
|
Croom, Co. Limerick |
25 beds |
70 per cent occupancy |
|
Swinford, Co. Mayo |
15 beds |
43.1 per cent occupancy |
|
New Ross, Co. Wexford |
60 beds |
27 per cent occupancy |
|
613 beds |
||
NOTE: Roscommon Fever Hospital ceased to take fever patients since 1st June, 1972. In 1971 the number of beds in that hospital was 12 and average occupancy 24.4.
May we take it that from now on there will not be any further need for Deputy O'Connell of Dublin South West to make inquiries about hospitals in Wexford?
Is that a question?
If the Deputy looks after his constituency as well as Deputy O'Connell looks after his he will be doing all right.
Arising from the Minister's reply, the nursing staff in the hospital at New Ross are perturbed about the adverse reports on the hospital. I take it that the Minister agrees that there is an excellent matron and staff there?
This has nothing to do with the staff at all. This is concerned with the structure.
Yes, but, unfortunately, due to the type of publicity this report got, the staff are very upset and perturbed. We should make it clear that there is no blame on the staff.
There is no suggestion that there is any blame on the staff. The suggestion is that there are defects in the structure. These have been admitted by the committee. Some repairs have been carried out. There is a further report concerning further improvements.
I am asking the Minister to say he is happy that the matron and staff are top class.
Deputies
Say it.
Sure, they are, but the Deputy does not expect the matron to go up on the roof and repair it.
There would be a better chance of the matron getting on the roof and repairing it than of Deputy O'Connell of Dublin doing so.
(Interruptions.)