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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 21 Mar 1985

Vol. 357 No. 2

Written Answers. - Geriatric Services.

527.

asked the Minister for Health whether his Department is aware that immobility is a major cause for entry into health board care; whether his Department has any alternative plans to deal with the problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I presume the Deputy is referring to geriatric services run by the health boards. The aim of providing health services for the elderly is to help them remain active as long as possible and, when dependency occurs, to meet as many of their needs as possible in the community setting. Community support services are being developed by the health boards in conjunction with voluntary agencies and more emphasis will be placed in the future on the strengthening of these services. However, there will continue to be a need for institutional care for the elderly persons who because of their medical needs require to be cared for in a hospital setting.

528.

asked the Minister for Health whether his Department has made any projections of the number of places anticipated to be required for geriatric patients in the coming period of five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

The Department's planning guidelines for the provision of geriatric places in institutions and in the community are due to be reviewed in the near future and the number of places required will be determined by the outcome of that review. The application of the current guidelines to the projected population aged 65 or over in 1991 suggests that the total number of places currently available may be adequate but I accept that the existing standards of geriatric accommodation leave a lot to be desired in many cases and as mentioned in the national plan, Building on Reality I am providing resources to improve these facilities.

529.

asked the Minister for Health the cost of providing the most recently built county home; the number of patients accommodated; the staffing complement; the annual cost involved; the location; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

A number of geriatric hospitals have been provided in recent years as part of a programme of up-grading and improving county homes. As part of this programme St. Colman's Hospital, Rathdrum, County Wicklow, has replaced the old county home at Rathdrum with new single storey accommodation at a total capital cost of £650,000 approximately. The hospital has accommodation for 154 patients and has a staff of 101 persons. In 1984 the health board provided an allocation of £941,000 towards the running costs of the hospital.

530.

asked the Minister for Health the number of geriatric patients accommodated in county homes and long-stay hospitals throughout the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

The number of patients resident in long-stay geriatric units on 31 December 1983 was as follows:

Type of Institution

Number of Patients Resident on 31 December 1983

Health Board Geriatric Hospitals/Homes

7,063

Health Board Welfare

Homes

1,389

Voluntary Approved

Nursing Homes

2,838

Other Private Nursing

Homes

2,266

Total

13,556

In addition there are 1,474 beds in district hospitals which are mainly used for long-stay geriatric patients.

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