Vol. 454 No. 3
101 Mr. Kenneally asked the Minister for Health the reason there are vacant beds in two wards in St. Otteran's Psychiatric Hospital in Waterford in view of the fact that there is a waiting list of 17 for beds in the alzheimer's unit in this hospital and as all of these wards are staffed by personnel of the same calibre and qualifications; if he will ensure that all available beds are utilised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10493/95]
Limerick East): I should first of all like to point out to the Deputy that the South-Eastern Health Board has responsibility for the delivery of health services in its functional area. The board's development of its mental health services is in line with the recommendations of the report Planning for the Future— which was published in 1984 and which has been accepted by successive Governments. This report advocated a shift in the delivery of mental health services from a predominantly institutional to a community based approach in caring for and treating persons with mental illness. There is a planned reduction by the board in the number of in-patients beds at St. Otteran's Hospital as the development of appropriate community residential accommodation on a phased basis continues.
The board has a total of 34 beds for elderly mentally infirm patients, including those suffering from alzheimer disease, in the Waterford community care area. These beds are located in St. Otteran's and in St. Patrick's Hospital, Dungarvan. This number is in line with the norms contained in The Years Ahead — A Policy for the Elderly. At present two people are awaiting admission to the 24 bed EMI unit attached to St. Otteran's. There are no patients awaiting admission to St. Patrick's. Admissions to each unit are continually monitored and the board is satisfied that the units are capable of meeting normal demand levels.
