asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that there is considerable overcrowding at Saint Luke's Hospital, Kilkenny; and the proposals, if any, his Department has to rectify this problem.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Kilkenny Hospital Accommodation.
8.
Proposals to meet accommodation problems are a matter for the health board in the first instance. I understand that the position at St. Luke's is kept under constant review by the health board and that additional ward accommodation has been provided recently. The matter also comes within the scope of the general hospital development programme. I hope to make an announcement on this shortly.
Would the Minister indicate what number of extra beds would be required to meet the overcrowding problem?
I am afraid I would not have that information here.
Has he received any representations from the South-Eastern Health Board in this regard?
No. There is no proposal as far as I am aware.
Has the Minister seen the report of the South-Eastern Health Board about the overcrowded conditions?
Yes. The matter was discussed at the last meeting, but there is no recommendation before me at the moment.
Does the Minister not agree that where sick children are accommodated two to a bed there is obviously need for an extension of accommodation in St. Luke's Hospital?
Yes, if that is the position.
Would the Minister tell us what kind is the extra accommodation now being provided and are there any proposals to extend it further?
I certainly deplore the situation the Deputy describes in which two young children are expected to sleep in the one bed.
That is what is happening.
I want to make it clear from the information I have that accommodation in this hospital has not deteriorated over the last few years.
There is not enough accommodation. The accommodation is adequate for a small number of patients.
St. Luke's is not abnormal in that respect and, if there is a backlog of building, I cannot be blamed entirely for that.
The Minister's reply so far does not inform the House as to what proposals there are to deal with this situation, a situation he admits is acute and must be remedied immediately.
I did not say there was an acute situation. I said I deplored the fact that two young children had to sleep in the one bed.
Surely the Minister will agree that when patients are accommodated in corridors the situation is intolerable.
If that is the situation in Kilkenny, Tullamore and other parts of the country, surely I cannot be blamed for that because it means there was a backlog over a long number of years.
I am asking the Minister what steps he contemplates to relieve the situation now.
If the South-Eastern Health Board send a proposal up to me I will have it considered. The Deputy will appreciate it is they who must take the initiative.