asked the Minister for Health the plans, if any, he has for a new acute psychiatric service for County Roscommon; the location of same; the cost involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Roscommon Psychiatric Service.
4.
The Western Health Board are responsible for the provision of psychiatric services in County Roscommon. The health board have decided with the approval of my Department that an acute psychiatric unit will be provided at the County Hospital, Roscommon.
The manner in which the unit will be provided in the county hospital has not been finalised yet so it is not possible to give an estimate of the costs involved. The establishment of this unit at the county hospital will form a key element in a comprehensive psychiatric service for County Roscommon.
Will there be a capital allocation for 1987 for the acute unit for the hospital in Roscommon?
The manner in which the unit will be provided has not been finally decided and the question of capital does not arise at this stage.
Self-financing.
Will the unit now be within the framework of the existing hospital, with no capital expenditure in view of the decision to reduce the size of the hospital to 40 beds — 20 medical and 20 surgical? Will there be in the remaining beds a conversion of 30 psychiatric beds within the framework of the existing hospital? Has the capital programme for the hospital gone, in effect?
My information is that there should be adequate accommodation in the county hospital to enable an acute psychiatric unit to be set up without any extra building.