Vol. 421 No. 5
77 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health whether he recognises the benefit to the community of Bandon District Hospital, County Cork; his views on whether this hospital needs to be extended because of the lack of accommodation there; and if he has any plans to do this.
I can assure the Deputy that I recognise the benefit of Bandon District Hospital to the community. This recognition is shared by the Southern Health Board. The Board has plans to develop the hospital as a community hospital in line with the recommendations of The Years Ahead — A Policy for the Elderly. In fact, a development plan which examines the role of Bandon Hospital and its relationship to other hospitals in the Cork city and south Cork community care catchment areas is being drafted at present.
