asked the Minister for Health in relation to the new psychiatric wing of Our Lady's Hospital, Navan, County Meath: (a) when it will be opened, (b) the number of beds it will have, (c) the staffing level, and (d) if the posts will be advertised.
Written Answers. - Navan (Meath) Hospital Facilities.
223.
The provisions of appropriate psychiatric facilities in County Meath, is primarily a matter for the North Eastern Health Board.
At present services for the County Meath area are provided from St. Brigid's Hospital, Ardee, County Louth. These were formerly provided from St. Loman's Hospital, Mullingar. There is a day care centre at the County Infirmary in Navan and out-patient clinics are held at Trim, Navan and Kells.
The development of appropriate psychiatric facilities in County Meath is the subject of ongoing discussions between the North Eastern Health Board and my Department. The provision of an acute unit is an integral part of these discussions. However, decisions have not yet been finalised on the level of services to be provided in these facilities. I am not therefore in a position at this stage to give a definite reply to the specific questions raised by the Deputy.