Vol. 547 No. 1
637 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of patients who were in permanent residence in St. Davnet's in 1990; the number there at present in 2002; the number of staff who were employed in St. Davnet's in 1990; the number employed at present in 2002; his views on whether it is difficult to understand the reason psychiatric patients should be transferred from Monaghan to Cavan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2246/02]
There were 186 patients in permanent residence in St. Davnet's Hospital, Monaghan in 1990. The number of patients there at present is 61. The number of staff employed in psychiatric services at that hospital in 1990 was 274. The number of staff employed in the mental health services in Monaghan and based at St. Davnet's Hospital at present is 223. Community mental health services are now based at St. Davnet's Hospital and comprise the major part of the work of the staff there.
In general people in County Cavan requiring acute psychiatric care are admitted to the acute psychiatric unit at Cavan General Hospital and people in County Monaghan are admitted to St. Davnet's Hospital. However, a specialist psychiatric service for the elderly has been operation since January 2000, providing services for both counties. This service operates in accordance with guidelines prepared by the Irish division of the Royal College of Psychiatrists. In-patient admissions for this service are to the acute psychiatric unit in Cavan, facilitating access to general hospital services including liaison access to a consultant physician in geriatric medicine. Nine people from County Monaghan have been admitted to this service in Cavan since January 2000. The day hospital component of the service is located at St. Davnet's Hospital.
