Vol. 411 No. 6
121 Mrs. Taylor-Quinn asked the Minister for Health when he proposes to provide the funding for 100 beds in Ennis General Hospital; and if discussions have been held between his Department and the Mid-Western Health Board in relation to such provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
A development plan for the acute hospitals in the Mid-Western Health Board region was adopted by the board in March 1988. The plan provided for 70 in-patient beds and six day care beds at Ennis General Hospital. Following a review of the matter, this was subsequently increased to 78 in-patient and six day care beds. In conjunction with the establishment of a consultant-led geriatric service, work is presently in progress on developing a ten-bed acute assessment unit at the hospital, which will increase the bed complement to 88 in-patient beds plus six day care beds — a total of 94 beds altogether.
I wish to assure the Deputy that Ennis General Hospital will continue to provide an integral and important part of the general hospital service in the Mid-Western Health Board area.
