Vol. 490 No. 4
110 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the examination, if any, which has taken place of the hospital needs in the greater Dublin area in view of the increase, projected increase and age profile of the population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10370/98]
The impact on the hospital system over the coming years of the ageing and increasing population is being identified by health agencies and forms part of the preparation and implementation of their annual service plans. I am aware of the service difficulties being experienced across the health service resulting from an increase in the birth rate, which is at variance with previous predictions, and the impact of an ageing population on health care costs. I will be including this matter in forthcoming discussions on the financial estimates for the health services for 1999 and subsequent years.
111 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the directive, if any, he has given to alleviate the chronic overcrowding at Naas Hospital, Naas, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10371/98]
115 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the serious overcrowding at Naas General Hospital, County Kildare; the improvement, if any, in the situation in recent times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10375/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 111 and 115 together.
I can assure the Deputy that I have been kept fully informed in relation to difficulties being experienced at Naas General Hospital. In 1997, the Eastern Health Board undertook the following initiatives to alleviate difficulties experienced at Naas General Hospital. These included: the provision of a dedicated day ward, six beds, to enable the more efficient and effective use of in-patient beds; the provision of an observation unit adjacent to the A&E with accommodation for up to 13 patients; the appointment of a bed manager to ensure the most effective use of the acute hospital bed resource; the creation of two additional consultant posts and two non-consultant hospital doctor positions to enhance medical cover at the hospital and the nursing staff complement of the hospital was increased by 13.
The revised phase II development brief for Naas General Hospital has now been approved and incorporates a number of additional provisions as compared to the original proposal. The construction cost limit of accommodating these changes to the phase II development brief is £18 million. The detailed planning of this major new development is ongoing and I am assured by the Eastern Health Board that the work will continue to be progressed as quickly as possible. I am confident that the completion of phase II of the hospital development will address all the problems currently being encountered.
