Vol. 404 No. 1
194 Mr. Lowry asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the nursing complement on the surgical wards at St. Joseph's Hospital, Nenagh, County Tipperary, is inadequate to cope with an average bed occupancy of 30; if he will give an assurance that the nursing levels will be increased to an acceptable level, in view of the tremendous pressure, stress and strain on the existing staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
My Department's personnel policy provides health agencies with flexibility to target staffing resources to areas of particular priority within the context of on overall approved staffing ceiling and annual financial parameters.
The Mid-Western Health Board policy since 1988 has been to provide resources to maintain 60 in-patient and six day beds at St. Joseph's Hospital, Nenagh. I understand that the board will be reviewing the situation, including staffing levels, in the light of their allocation for 1991.
