Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 28 Jan 1999

Vol. 499 No. 2

Written Answers. - Hospital Services.

Liam Aylward

Ceist:

94 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will continue the efforts being made by him and the officials of his Department to relieve the serious overcrowding which presently exists at St. Luke's Hospital, Kilkenny, where patients are hospitalised in beds on corridors; the proposals his Department has for the development of St. Luke's Hospital to alleviate this congestion; the progress, if any, to date on the development of the new psychiatric and geriatric units at this hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2325/99]

Liam Aylward

Ceist:

95 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will reconsider the decision of the South Eastern Health Board to transfer the orthopaedic hospital from its present location at Kilcreene, Kilkenny to the Waterford Regional Hospital and St. Luke's Hospital, Kilkenny; if he will investigate fully the possibility of developing this hospital as the regional centre for orthopaedics in the south east region which is the most suitable site available and is the preferred choice of the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2326/99]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 94 and 95 together.

The provision of services at St. Luke's Hospital is a matter for the South Eastern Health Board in the first instance. I understand from the board that, in common with other acute hospitals, St. Luke's has been under pressure due to the level of activity in medical admissions at this time of year. To deal with this situation, the board has provided additional resources to increase home support services, nursing home places and increased use of district hospital beds as step-down facilities from St. Luke's Hospital. Additional staffing resources are also deployed by the board as the need arises and I understand from the board that improved communication mechanisms between primary care, G.P.'s and hospital staff has ensured appropriate use of existing facilities. The use of an at-risk register for elderly patients, together with the appointment of key workers for persons on this register has also commenced. In addition, the board is planning to up-grade facilities at Castlecomer District Hospital and to provide ten additional beds at Carlow District Hospital this year.

I have provided the South Eastern Health Board with additional resources this year of £0.905 million to enable it to develop services for the care of the elderly, which will alleviate further pressure which may arise on St. Luke's Hospital and other acute hospitals in the board's area.

A strategy for the development of acute hospital services has been adopted by the South Eastern Health Board and agreed in principle with my Department. This includes a strategy for the development of orthopaedic services and is in line with the conclusion of a major review of orthopaedic services in the region which was completed in 1992 by a Joint Department of Health/Comhairle na n-Ospideál Expert Review Group.

My Department is working with the board in planning the implementation of this strategy. Towards this end, a group has been established to plan the development at St. Luke's Hospital, including the development of psychiatric and elderly facilities on the St. Luke's campus.