asked the Minister for Health if he will arrange for the provision of emergency accident facilities for North County Dublin to be based at St. Ita's Hospital, Portrane.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - North Dublin Accident Facilities.
25.
The provision of emergency accident facilities for North County Dublin is a matter for the Eastern Health Board in the first instance. St. Ita's Hospital is a psychiatric hospital and would not have staff or facilities of the type needed to provide an emergency accident service.
I understand that at the January meeting of the Eastern Health Board it was decided to set up a working party to examine the need for a minor casualty service in areas where a hospital casualty service is not available.
Would the Minister agree that, because of the traffic chaos that can arise on the main north road, it is desirable to have a unit based outside the city limit, a unit capable of providing immediate facilities for someone injured in an accident? Would he agree that unit should be provided as soon as possible? Would he also agree that even though St. Ita's is a psychiatric hospital a large number of doctors work in the hospital whose services could be availed of in emergencies? Would he agree that an ambulance could be based in the area?
I am not aware that there is such a staff as the Deputy says based in the hospital. I agree there ought to be centres to deal with accidents but I have no proposal before me on that matter from the Eastern Health Board. I understand they are establishing a working party to see what can be done to provide for casualty stations not alone in this particular area but in other areas as well.
Would the Minister suggest to the Eastern Health Board that the stationing of at least an ambulance in the hospital in Portrane is desirable?
Contrary to what the Deputy says, I am informed that the Eastern Health Board did not consider it necessary to station an accident ambulance in North County Dublin in the Balbriggan or Skerries area. They say that is not necessary in view of the quick response by the Dublin Fire Brigade ambulance stationed at Kilbarrack and Finglas. In addition, I am informed there is an ambulance at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda and the Knights of Malta have an ambulance located at Balbriggan.
One final supplementary.
I am calling the next question. The Deputy must allow the Chair some discretion.
The two sites referred to by the Minister are in the outer suburbs and surely the Minister is aware of the traffic chaos that can build up when factories are closing and workers are coming from the airport. There is a distinct possibility——
This is an argument, not a question.
——of delay in getting an ambulance to an accident.
I do not deny what the Deputy says and the Eastern Health Board are fully conscious of the fact that casualty stations are needed. As I said, twice already to the Deputy, there is a working party seeking ways and means of providing such a service.
26.
asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the need for a clinic to deal with minor emergencies in the Donaghmede/Donaghies/Grangemore area of County Dublin; and the steps he proposes to take for the provision of such a service.
The provision of clinics in the area mentioned is primarily a matter for the Eastern Health Board. I am informed that a minor casualty service, for cuts and bruises, is available at the board's health centres at Edenmore and Kilbarrack.
Is the Minister aware that in this area there are approximately 1,200 houses and, while the two casualty stations in the areas mentioned by the Minister are welcome, they are not suitably sited for the particular area mentioned in the question?
If I get a suitable recommendation from the Eastern Health Board I will give it sympathetic consideration.
Will the Minister bring the matter to the attention of the Eastern Health Board?
I have no doubt that the board read every health debate and every question and answer in relation to health in this House.