Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 14 Feb 1990

Vol. 395 No. 7

Written Answers. - Geriatric/Psycho-Geriatric Beds.

Brendan Howlin

Ceist:

106 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied that there are adequate geriatric and psycho-geriatric beds available to cater for the city of Dublin; if he will give details of the current provisions in this regard; the plans, if any, he has to improve present provisions; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Health (Dr. O'Hanlon)

The provision of geriatric and psycho-geriatric beds in the city of Dublin is a matter for the Eastern Health Board in the first instance.

For the purposes of geriatric accommodation requirements in the Dublin city, the health board take into account accommodation provision in the whole Eastern Health Board area. On the basis of the recommendations of the Report of the Working Party on Services for the Elderly, The Years Ahead — A Policy for the Elderly, there is a need for approximately 3,615 extended care and welfare beds in the Eastern Health Board area. The actual number of beds in public and voluntary facilities is around 3,700. I am satisfied that this level of bed provision, together with places available in the private nursing home sector is adequate to meet requirements.

I should add that I recently announced an additional allocation of £5 million to services for the elderly to be allocated among the health boards including the Eastern Health Board. This money will be directed towards development of home nursing and home help services and respite and other facilities for the elderly.

The Eastern Health Board have recently submitted a plan for further development of services for the elderly which is being considered in my Department at the present time.

As regards psycho-geriatric services, the Eastern Health Board have established a specialised psychiatric service for the elderly in Dublin community care areas 3, 6 and 7 with the appointment of two consultants with specialised training in the psychiatry of older adult. The philosophy of these services is community based and day hospitals have been provided at St. Patrick's Hospital, James Connolly Memorial Hospital and St. Vincent's Hospital, Fairview. Assessment services have been provided in James Connolly Memorial Hospital and St. Vincent's Hospital, Fairview, while existing psychiatric and geriatric assessment facilities are shared in St. James's Hospital.

The following extended care places for the elderly mentally infirm have also been provided:

Location	No. of Places
James Connolly Memorial Hospital	40
Vergemount Hospital	64
Beech Haven, Ballyowen	35
Bloomfield, Donnybrook	35

A further 55 places will be provided shortly at Tivoli Road, Dún Laoghaire, and at St. Patrick's Hospital, James's Street.

In addition, there are approximately 500 persons over 65 years of age being cared for in Eastern Health Board psychiatric hospitals with a further 250 elderly persons resident in community hostels.

I recognise the need to develop services for the elderly mentally ill and infirm, particularly in the Dublin area where the number of older people is growing rapidly. The specialised psychiatric service which has been established in Dublin is being evaluated by the Eastern Health Board and it is the board's intention to develop further a community based psychiatric service for the elderly.