Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 30 Sep 1997

Vol. 480 No. 6

Written Answers - Hospital Staffing.

Noel Ahern

Ceist:

299 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of patients in St. Vincent's Hospital, Fairview, Dublin 3; the number of staff, and in particular, nursing staff at this hospital; the difference, if any, there is in the patient-to-nurse ratio between this hospital and other similar hospitals; and his views on the care and attention given to patients at this hospital. [14959/97]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen):

The table below outlines the information requested by the Deputy.

Friday, 26 September 1997

Number of Patients	114
Number of Staff	185
Number of Nurses	114
Patient-to-Nurse Ratio	1:1

The patient-to-nurse ratio in St. Vincent's Hospital is not dissimilar to other similar hospitals. Standards of care and attention to patients are monitored by the Inspectorate of Mental Hospitals during their annual inspection of St. Vincent's Hospital, Fairview and I am satisfied that patients are provided with a high quality of care and attention despite the increasing demands on the service.