asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to reports from the psychiatric nursing staff about conditions at Newcastle Hospital, County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - County Wicklow Hospital Conditions.
47.
I have seen a newspaper report containing complaints from members of the nursing staff about conditions at Newcastle Hospital—Wicklow People, 17 November 1978.
The management of this hospital is a matter for the Eastern Health Board and I understand that a notice of motion calling for the improvement of facilities at the hospital will be considered by the board at its next meeting on 7 December 1978.
I have received a proposal from the Eastern Health Board for the provision of a new 20-bed acute unit at the hospital which would relieve overcrowding and would enable better segregation of patients to be effected. I will consider this proposal sympathetically when I am allocating my capital funds for 1979.