Vol. 538 No. 1
151 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will investigate the reasons for repeated delays in admitting a person (details supplied) in County Carlow to St. Luke's Hospital, Kilkenny; and whether, having regard to the statement from the chief executive officer of the South-Eastern Health Board, health boards need additional resources and freedom to act in relation to capacity issues. [17338/01]
The provision of services is a matter for the South-Eastern Health Board in the first instance. I understand that the person in question was admitted to St. Luke's Hospital for treatment and the board's chief executive officer has written directly to the Deputy in relation to this matter.
I am aware of the service difficulties at the hospital and I have recently given approval to the South-Eastern Health Board to proceed with the fitting out of two floors above the new coronary care unit at a cost of £2 million. This new development, which will provide 28 additional beds, will significantly increase the capacity of the hospital to deal with service demands.
As the Deputy is aware, I initiated a national review of bed capacity in the acute and non-acute sectors on foot of the commitment by Government in the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness. The review is being conducted by my Department in conjunction with the Department of Finance and in consultation with the social partners. The review is now at an advanced stage and the findings will be brought to Government in the near future.
Question No. 152 answered with Question No. 149.
