asked the Minister for Health if he will name the hospitals and the number of beds or wards that have been closed in each hospital in the Southern Health Board area; if he is aware of the serious hardship being imposed on people in that area; and if, due to that, he will reconsider his decision.
Written Answers. - Hospital Bed Closures.
596.
As a cost containment measure, the Southern Health Board has closed beds in the following hospitals:
|
Hospital |
Beds Closed |
|
Cork Regional Hospital |
24 |
|
St. Finbarr's Hospital |
4 |
|
St. Mary's Orthopaedic Hospital, Gurranabraher |
17 |
|
Mallow General Hospital |
9 |
I am not aware of any serious hardship being imposed on the people in the Southern Health Board area as a result of the closure of these beds. The Southern Health Board, like all other health boards and agencies must take appropriate steps to operate within the financial allocations which it is possible to make to them.