asked the Minister for Health the grounds on which he can justify a 50 per cent closedown in the Cavan Surgical Hospital, County Cavan for the four weeks of December having regard to the fact that December is a month when the community are more in need of hospitalisation due to severe cases of flu and accidents; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Cavan Surgical Hospital.
228.
The number of surgical beds to be provided at Cavan Surgical Hospital is a matter for the North-Eastern Health Board in the first instance.
I understand that past experience indicates that less than one-half of the beds in the hospital are used during the month of December due to the reluctance of patients to undergo elective surgical procedures in the lead up to Christmas. Consequently, the health board decided at its last monthly meeting to close beds during December and in the circumstances I accept that this is a reasonable approach by the board.
Adequate beds will be available to deal with any emergencies which may arise and persons suffering from 'flu are unlikely to be affected by the availability or otherwise of elective surgical beds.