(Cavan-Monaghan) asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that the accommodation and facilities for the reception and treatment of out-patients at Cavan surgical hospital are quite inadequate and dangerous and that some patients are being treated in a corridor which is also used as a waiting area; the reason the provision of more suitable accommodation and facilities by the North Eastern Health Board have been postponed; and when the promised improvements will be made.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cavan Surgical Hospital Facilities.
15.
I am aware of the unsatisfactory accommodation available for out-patients at Cavan surgical hospital. Following discussions between officers of my department and of the North Eastern Health Board the board have submitted a scheme to my Department for the improvement of the out-patients facilities.
However, it has not been possible to make the necessary funds available this year for the project in view of the current constraints in public expenditure. I will be re-considering the position when the capital allocation for health projects for 1981 has been decided.
(Cavan-Monaghan): Will the Minister agree that a corridor adjacent to the main entrance of the Cavan surgical hospital is used as a waiting area and as a first-aid area where patients are questioned and treated in the presence of other waiting patients? Is the Minister aware that when the new surgeon, Mr. McMurray, was appointed earlier this year he was given an undertaking that minimal first-aid out-patients accommodation would be provided at a cost of £10,000? That was supposed to start on the middle of this year and be finished about now. It has not yet been started and is now postponed until next year. Patients are being examined and being treated publicly because £10,000 will not be spent on it although £13.4 million was spent in the Taoiseach's constituency.
I will certainly consider that position in relation to any funds which are available.
(Cavan-Monaghan): Will the Minister treat this as a matter of urgency and put an end to this disgrace?
As the Deputy knows, I visited the hospital earlier this year and I am aware of the circumstances. I accept what the Deputy says and I will treat it as a matter of urgency.
(Cavan-Monaghan): Will one of the Deputies in Cavan have to die and create a by-election to get £10,000 for casualty accommodation in Cavan surgical hospital? Money was for throwing away in Donegal——
A question.
(Cavan-Monaghan): ——and they cannot get £10,000 in Cavan.
Is the Minister aware that the lay-out of this hospital would facilitate a pre-fab building being placed behind the existing OPD area which would be suitable for use as a casualty area? Is the Minister aware that this area is being used both for casualty and OPD purposes at present and that stretcher cases cannot be admitted into the surgical area because of the present lay-out? Will the Minister consider installing even a pre-fab at the rere of the existing building?
(Cavan-Monaghan): On the same property, is the Minister aware——
No, Deputy. I have allowed half a dozen supplementaries on this.
(Cavan-Monaghan): ——that stretchers have to be brought out into the yard to be turned?
Will the Minister answer Deputy Boland and then I am moving on to the next question?
I have noted the suggestion which the Deputy made and I will consider it in considering the whole matter.
(Cavan-Monaghan): The Minister is obviously embarrassed but this mess was handed over to him by the man who appointed him, the Taoiseach.
Question No. 16.
And Deputy Fitzpatrick will not voluntarily die so as to solve it.