Vol. 424 No. 1
35 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that ten nursing posts due to be discontinued at a hospital (details supplied) in County Waterford are retained for the Waterford Psychiatric Service in view of the increased catchment area, which has been increased by 15,000, and the serious difficulties being experienced in relation to staffing levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The provision of psychiatric services in County Waterford is a matter for the South Eastern Health Board in the first instance. The board in line with the policy set out in the Report, Planning for the Future, are developing a community oriented psychiatric service in Waterford. The development of such a service involves the provision of community and acute psychiatric admission facilities. In line with Planning for the Future, a community based alcoholism service is also being developed. The board, as part of the development of psychiatric services are arranging for the provision of better and more appropriate services for persons with mental handicap who have been inappropriately placed in psychiatric hospitals in the board's area. As part of these developments, agreement has been reached with the Brothers of Charity at Belmont Park to provide care for some of the persons with mental handicap resident in the psychiatric hospital referred to by the Deputy.
