Jimmy Deenihan
Ceist:438 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Health and Children his Department's policy on the provision of a district hospital for the elderly in Tralee, County Kerry. [17477/99]
Written Answers. - Hospital Services.
Dick Spring
Ceist:517 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Health and Children if agreement has been reached between his Department and the Southern Health Board in relation to the provision of a community hospital in Tralee, County Kerry; and, if so, the timetable for its construction. [18094/99]
The provision of a community hospital for older people in Tralee is a matter in the first instance for the Southern Health Board. I understand that the Southern Health Board has prepared a strategy for services for older people which will be discussed at the October meeting of the board. I understand that this document emphasises the need for maintaining older people at home and in this regard proposes the development of community nursing units which would operate in association with the board's general hospitals including the department of medicine of older people at Tralee General Hospital. The board has put in place, or is in the course of planning, a range of facilities in County Kerry including assessment and rehabilitation units at Tralee General Hospital; community support services such as physiotherapy and occupational therapy; a day hospital at Tralee General Hospital and the provision of a replacement community hospital at Dingle. The need for a community hospital for older people in Tralee is recognised by the Southern Health Board and it has included the development of such a facility in its development plan for community hospitals. It is my intention to continue with the financial assistance already made available to the Southern Health Board in the development of services for older people in its area subject, of course, to the availability of resources. In this regard, it is a matter for the board to determine its priorities for the development of this service in County Kerry prior to the submission of proposals to my Department.