Seán Haughey
Ceist:272 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will reserve 100 beds in the Meath Hospital, Dublin 8, for elderly patients as requested by Alone; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14380/97]
Written Answers - Hospital Services.
The new hospital at Tallaght when opened will incorporate the services currently being provided at the Adelaide, the Meath and the National Children's Hospital, together with acute psychiatric services currently being provided at St. Loman's Hospital.
The Meath Hospital is a voluntary hospital and as such has full ownership of its site. When the services transfer to Tallaght, the hospital site, like the sites of the Adelaide and the National Children's Hospital, will be sold as the premises will no longer function as acute hospitals. Since agreement was reached on the development of the new hospital - the Adelaide and Meath Hospital, Dublin incorporating the National children's Hospital - it has always been understood that the three constituent hospitals would close once the new hospital is opened.
However, my Department, together with the Eastern Health Board and the hospitals concerned, is currently examining the health service needs of the south inner city catchment population following the transfer of the acute hospital services to Tallaght.
The Eastern Health Board is providing a range of services for older people in the south inner city. A 25 bed community nursing unit which has respite, extended care and day care facilities, is operating at Sir Patrick Dun's Hospital. A 50 bed community nursing unit which will provide similar services is currently being constructed at the South Circular Road and is planned to open in 1998. The Eastern Health Board has, in addition, identified the need to provide secondary rehabilitation, extended care and day hospital facilities for older people living in the area surrounding the Meath Hospital. The possibility of acquiring the Meath Hospital campus for these and other primary care services is being examined.