Vol. 396 No. 6
184 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a ward in Cork Regional Hospital still remains closed; the reason for this situation; the steps which are being taken to have the ward brought into service; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The level and range of services provided at Cork Regional Hospital is a matter in the first instance for the Southern Health Board. In order to live within the resources at its disposal and having regard to its competing service priorities, the board made a decision in 1987 to reduce the bed provision at Cork Regional Hospital. Since 1987 the number of beds in use at the hospital has been increased from 482 to its present level of 567. The need to bring further beds into operation is constantly being reviewed by the board with particular regard to demand for additional services and available resources.
