Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 9 Jun 1992

Vol. 420 No. 9

Written Answers. - Drogheda, County Louth, Hospital.

Michael Bell

Ceist:

142 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Health the plans if any, he now has in relation to St. Mary's Hospital, Drogheda, County Louth following his recent visit to Drogheda and his discussions with representatives of the North-Eastern Health Board; if agreement was reached on the closure of this hospital; if it will be demolished; if the site will be sold to fund an extension to Boyne View House; if this house will now become a full geriatric unit; his views on whether the extension to the Cottage Hospital and the closure of St. Mary's will mean a reduction in geriatric beds in the Drogheda area; the numbers of vacant beds in both the Cottage and St. Mary's Hospitals; if he will outline the full waiting lists for both males and females, and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Health (Dr. O'Connell)

My main concern and that of the NorthEastern Health Board is to improve the accommodation available for the care of the dependent elderly in Drogheda. For this reason, the board will be proceeding with the building of a 22 bed extension to the Cottage Hospital which will enable the phased transfer of services from St. Mary's. No decision has yet been reached about the future of St. Mary's when services have been transferred. The normal procedures relating to the disposal of surplus property which, inter alia, requires my prior approval will apply.

As far as the other aspects of the question are concerned the North Eastern Health Board have informed me that: (a) no decision will be made in relation to the sale of land at St. Mary's Hospital until the new services are in place; (b) it is not board policy at this time to provide an extension to Boyne View House but the services being provided there may be reviewed in the context of the overall needs of the elderly in the area; (c) when all the proposed services are in place, including geriatric assessment beds, there will be no reduction in the number of beds available for the elderly; (d) there are no vacant beds at present; (e) the present combined waiting list for the two hospitals is nine for females and four for males. The board regard this list as being of manageable proportions.