asked the Minister for Health whether there has been any evidence of an increase in the number of persons suffering from TB recently; if he will make a statement regarding whether recent cutbacks and ward closures have led to the treatment of affected patients in general wards; and his proposals to prevent this.
Written Answers. - TB Cases.
11.
There continues to be a downward trend in the number of new TB cases notified and the number of such cases notified in 1984 which is the most recent year for which figures are available is 837.
Specialised units for the treatment of TB are based at Peamount Hospital, Dublin, Sarsfield Court, Cork and Merlin Park Hospital, Galway. Following a short period of modern anti-tuberculous treatment TB patients can, however, transfer safely to general wards or can return to the community without risk of causing infection. There is no evidence to suggest that the economies necessitated by the 1987 allocations to health agencies have affected the treatment of TB patients adversely and therefore no action is warranted.