Michael Creed
Ceist:59 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Health if he will make additional finances available to Mallow General Hospital, County Cork, to facilitate the reopening of additional beds. [14131/97]
Written Answers - Hospitals Funding.
The organisation of services at Mallow General Hospital is a matter for the Southern Health Board in the first instance. I have been advised by the board that the activity levels for Mallow General Hospital are in line with those agreed by the board in its service plan for 1997.
I have been further advised by the Southern Health Board that its current practice in relation to the delivery of hospital services is to increase day-patient work and out-patient throughput as an alternative to in-patient care. The board has in the past number of years supported this development through the designation of a number of dedicated day beds in Mallow General Hospital and the provision of equipment and staffing resources to enable an increase in day work. In the context of the board's assurances concerning the achievement of agreed activity levels at the hospital, I am satisfied that this is an appropriate approach to the delivery of services.