Vol. 459 No. 6
77 Mr. M. McDowell asked the Minister for Health if he agrees with the view of the Medical Director of Hume Street Hospital, Dublin 2, that parts of the hospital are so dilapidated and run down that it resembles Dickensian conditions; the plans, if any, he has for the continued provision of dermatology services at this hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18170/95]
, Limerick East): I am glad to have the opportunity to acknowledge the important role which the City of Dublin Skin and Cancer Hospital, Hume Street, has played in the provision of dermatology services in the Dublin south-east region. I would like to put on record that I do not accept the impression conveyed in the remarks, attributed to the hospital's medical director, that the conditions in Hume Street hospital are below acceptable standards. The hospital management have confirmed that the statement does not represent the collective views of the board, management or staff of the hospital.
I wish to advise the House that in the past two years, the Department of Health has approved capital grants for Hume Street hospital totalling £185,000. These grants were in addition to the hospital's annual revenue allocation which is in excess of £1 million and represent a significant contribution towards the maintenance of the hospital's infrastructure.
In relation to the continuing provision of dermatology services at Hume Street hospital, the hospitals involved in providing dermatology services for the Dublin south-east region are at present jointly reviewing the organisation of these services on a regional basis. The outcome of this review will provide a valuable input to policy for the further development of the services in the Dublin south-east region and I look forward to seeing the results of this work.
