Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 9 Nov 2000

Vol. 525 No. 4

Written Answers. - Psychiatric Nurses.

Dan Neville

Ceist:

98 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on the concerns of a group (details supplied) in County Limerick which were outlined to the him in writing; if he will respond to the situation where these psychiatric nurses believe that they cannot carry out their duties as professionals in an environment that is conducive to their role; his further views on whether it is acceptable that staff must be in regular confrontation with the Mid-Western Health Board in relation to working conditions and industrial relations issues and that nursing unions are forced to give notice of industrial action several times a year; and his further views on whether it is acceptable that agreed staffing levels for wards, units and community facilities are not being met due to lack of funding and staff levels not being met. [25321/00]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin):

I have been advised by the Mid-Western Health Board that arrangements are in place to deal with the industrial relations issues raised by the group concerned.

The Mid-Western Health Board has experienced some difficulty in relation to availability of qualified psychiatric nurses. The board currently has 50 student nurses in training in the mental health nursing school and intends to recruit an additional 30 students next year. It should be noted that this school was re-opened just over 12 months ago following a number of years when no psychiatric nurses were trained in the mid west region. The re-opening of the school will make a major contribution towards the supply of psychiatric nurses.

The board acknowledges that the physical environment of some of the wards at St. Joseph's Hospital is not satisfactory. It is actively pursuing a programme of transferring a significant number of patients to more appropriate community based settings. Facilities have been completed-pur chased in order to significantly reduce the present patient population in the hospital.

In association with the intellectual disability services in the region, community-based facilities have been developed for 36 persons with intellectual disability. A nursing home has been purchased and is in the process of being commissioned. This will allow for the transfer of approximately 40 older psychiatric patients from the hospital.

Dan Neville

Ceist:

99 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children the plans he has to reverse the situation in the psychiatric services in the County Limerick area where physical and working environment of wards, units and community facilities continue to deteriorate and cannot be refurbished to a proper standard because of the lack of funding; if he will contrast this with the large section of administrative services including manpower which is being transferred from the main health board offices to the existing building at St. Joseph's Hospital, County Limerick where there are no difficulties with extensive renovation and refurbishment and the provision of modern facilities which are at an advanced stage. [25322/00]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin):

This is a matter for the Mid-Western Health Board. I have asked the chief executive officer to investigate the matter and reply directly to the Deputy.