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Minutes of the Eastern Health Board held on 10th Janurary 1980(305kb)
Item type Meetings and Proceedings
Authors Eastern Health Board (EHB)
Rights EHB
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1 10/1/1980
EASTERN HEALTH BOARD
Minutes of Proceedings of Monthly Meeting of Eastern Health Board held in the Boardroom, St. Brendan's Hospital, Grangegorman, on Thursday 10th January, 1980 at 6.00 p.m.
Ald. B. Ahern, T.D. Dr. J. 0. Behan Cllr. L. Belton, T.D. Cllr. D. Browne Cllr. M. Carroll Cllr. J. Connolly, P.C. Cllr. BJ. Durkan Ald. A. FitzGerald Cllr. Mrs. A. Glenn Cllr. A. Groome Cllr. T. Hand, P.C. Mr. K. Harrington Cllr. P. Hickey, P.C. Cllr. F. Hynes
Present Dr. D. G. Kelly Cllr. T. Leonard, T.D. Dr. P. McCarthy Prof. J. McCormick Sr. Columba Mr. M. Matthews Dr. A. Meade Cllr. M. Freehill Dr. B. Powell Dr. B. Sheehan Cllr. E. Stagg Cllr. J. Sweeney Cllr. G. Timmins, T.D. Dr. J. Walker Cllr. Mrs. M. Waugh
Apologies for Absence
Mr. H. Corrigan and Ms. N. Kearney and Prof.. J. S. Doyle
In the Chair
Alderman Alexis FitzGerald
Officers in Attendance'
Mr. J. J. Nolan Mr. F. Donohue Mr. T. Keyes Mr. R.N. Lamb Prof. B. Donnell Mr. J. Reynolds Mr. J. Sadlier Mr. P. I. Lyons Mr. F. Elliott Mr. J. Clarke Mr. P. J. Swords
1/80
Mr. J. Doyle Dr. B. Pigott Dr. J. O'Mahony Mr. H. Dunne Mr. A. O'Brien Prof. I. Browne Mr. M. Cummins Mr. T. Barry Miss K. Dolan Miss F. Heaney Miss B. Kelly
CONDOLENCES
The Chairman informed the members that Mrs. E. Sweeney, mother-in-law of Mr. Mansfield Secretary to the Board had died and the members stood in silent prayer as a mark of respect, also with Mr. J. Peidy, Section Officer on the death of his mother.
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2/1980 CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES
On a proposal by Cllr. J. Sweeney seconded by Cllr. F. Hynes the minutes of the December monthly meeting were adopted.
MATTERS ARISING
Cllr. Durkan asked if a reply had been received from the Minister for Social Welfare in respect of the concern expressed by the Board at the delays in payment of Social Welfare Benefits in the Kildare area. The Chairman undertook to write personally to the Minister on this matter. Cllr. Stagg referred to the decision taken (Page 269 ref 152/79) that Beard members would visit the Health Centres at Kilmeague and Celbridge and it was agreed that a delegation of the 3 members for Kildare and six otter members would make the visits at 'a date which would be arranged within the next 2 weeks by Mr. Donohue.
The members of the delegation are: Councillors Ourkan, Groome, Stagg, Alderman A. FitzGerald, Councillors Belton, Browne, Hickey, Hynes and Sweeney.
3/80 PROCEEDINGS OF VISITING COMMITTEES
The reports of the following Visiting Committees having been circulated were dealt with as follows:-
(a) No. 1 Visiting Committee meeting held at District Hospital, Baltinglass on 14/12/1979
On a proposal by Cllr. G. Timmins seconded by Cllr. Mrs. M. Waugh the report was noted.
With reference to the Development of the Hospital Services, Cllr. Timmins proposed that the Board should give its approval to the recommendation of the Visiting Committee that an additional 30 beds should be provided at the hospital. Cllr. Hynes seconded this proposal which was unanimously agreed and referred to Mr. Lamb for attention.
(b) No. 2 Visiting Committee meeting held at Central Mental Hospital Dundrum on 15/11/1979
Dr. J. Behan proposed that consideration of the minutes of this meeting should be deferred until the report of the Ad-Hoc Committee on the Psychiatric Services is ready. The members agreed to this proposal.
(c) No. 3 Visiting Committee Meeting held at County Hospital, Naas on 29/11/1979
3 10/1/1980
On a proposal by Cllr. B. J. Durkan, seconded by Cllr. E. Stagg the report was noted.
Cllr. Durkan referred to the accommodation problem at the Out-Patient Department of the hospital. Mr. Sadlier informed him that finances in respect of maintenance and development are fully committed but the accommodation problem in this area is listed as a priority and will be attended to when funds are available.
Cllr. Groome noted that there was a saving in costs resulting from the construction of the new kitchen and dining rooms and Mr. Swords informed him there was an increase of over 50% in the number of meals prepared in the new kitchen.
Cllr. Stagg asked if the Board was going to establish a laboratory at Naas and if so how soon this would be done. Mr. Swords stated that it was hoped to establish a link for pathology services with St. James's Hospital as soon as the new laboratory there was commissioned.
Dr. McCarthy expressed his concern at the failure of Comhairle na nOspideal to approve a permanent post of Surgeon for Kildare where the post has been filled in a temporary capacity for 18 years.
Mr. Nolan shared Dr. McCarthy's concern but pointed out that the temporary appointment was established by the Kildare County Council before 1970 since when the Eastern Health Board had been pressing An Comhairle to consider making the post a permanent one.
(d) No. 3 Visiting Committee meeting held at St. Vincent's Hospital, Athy, on 13/12/1979
On a proposal by Cllr. Durkan, seconded by Cllr. Groome the report was noted.
4/80 PROCEEDINGS OF LOCAL (HEALTH) COMMITTEES
The Minutes of the following local (health) committee meetings having been circulated were dealt with as follows:
(a) Dublin City Local (Health) Committee meeting held on 17/12/1979
On a proposal by Cllr. Glenn, seconded by Cllr. Freehill the minutes were noted.
(b) Dublin County Local (Health) Committee Meeting held on 3/12/1979
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On a proposal by Cllr. Connolly seconded by Cllr. Hickey the minutes were noted.
(c) Kildare Local (Health) Committee meeting held on 22/11/1979
On a proposal by Cllr. Durkan seconded by Cllr. Stagg the minutes were noted.
Arising from a discussion on the minutes to which Dr. P. McCarthy, Cllr. Stagg, Cllr. Durkan and Cllr. Groome contributed the following motion was proposed by Cllr. Stagg, Seconded by Cllr. Durkan and carried unanimously.
"That this Committee express disappointment at the continuing delay in the appointment of a full-time permanent Consultant Surgeon and physician to the County Hospital Naas and request the Board to press the Minister for Health for immediate approval to the development of the Hospital."
It was also agreed that a copy of the motion should be sent to the Minister for Health and the Chief Officer of Comhairle na nOspideal.
(d) Wicklow Local (Health) Committee meeting held on 21/9/1979
On a proposal by Cllr. Hynes seconded by Cllr. Sweeney the minutes were noted.
(e) Wicklow Local (Health) Committee meeting held on 16/11/1979
On a proposal by Cllr. Sweeney seconded by Cllr. Hynes the minutes were noted.
5/80 QUESTION
On a proposal by Cllr. Sweeney seconded by Cllr. Hynes it was agreed that the Chief Executive Officer answer the question lodged:
QUESTION
Councilor M. Freehill:
"How many hours overtime was worked by the nursing staff in St. Ita's Hospital during the month of November and is the Board satisfied that the present number of staff employed is sufficient?"
5 10/1/1980
REPLY
"I refer to question tabled by you for Board meeting on 10th January regarding overtime by nursing staff at St. Ita's Hospital. The actual number of hours worked by nursing staff during the month of November was 3,268. This represents on average about 12 staff per day. Seventy-five per cent of this overtime was on the male side. I set out hereunder the reasons for this overtime and what is happening in St. Ita's is equally true in our other mental hospitals, i.e. St. Brendan's and St. Loman's.
The total nursing staff including trainees at St. Ita's at this time is 497. Nurses are recruited as trainees through the nurse training school at the hospital and it has been the practice that the intake of trainees is only sufficient to meet the needs of the hospital. It takes, as you know, a minimum period of three years to train a nurse.
Nurses were granted additional holidays about a year ago and this concession was made in a very serious industrial situation. Additional staff were required to implement this decision but it was not possible despite extensive advertising to obtain the necessary trained staff, particularly male trained staff. The only other course open to us was to recruit additional trainees but we managed to obtain only 29 male trainees when in fact we needed 60 for our services. Part of this problem was due undoubtedly to the postal difficulties at that time but we have found that the service is not attractive to male school leavers. There are probably many reasons for this and this- is an aspect, which you might like to discuss later with me.
We have made offers to four post-graduate nurses and 14 male trainees and if all these accept posts and take up duty at the end of this month, it will ease the situation but it will not be fully solved until we have completed the training of all student nurses at present in training.
The question of staffing in psychiatric hospitals will be reported on by the ad hoc committee to the Board but if you wish I could discuss this matter further with you after the Board meeting on 10th January 1980." 6/80 (A) DENTAL SERVICES
(DEFERRED FROM DECEMBER 1979 MEETING) (as quoted in Minutes Page 274 ref 154/79) (B) ORGANISATION AND DEVELOPMENT
OF ORTHODONTIC SERVICES
-Report No. 3/1980 and Circular M 102/471 of 20/12/79 from Dept. of Health, as follows:-
"1. The Department of Health's circular M102/471 of 20/12/79 deals with the organisation and development of
6
Orthodontic Services and recommends the creation of a number of Consultant Orthodontic posts, one of which will be in the service of the Eastern Health Board.
At present certain less complicated orthodontic conditions are treated by the Board's dental staff in consultation with private Orthodontists. More complex treatment is provided at the Dental Hospital and the Maxillo-Facial Unit of Or. Steevens Hospital. In Kildare and Wick low the services of private Orthodontists are availed of. A sizeable waiting list for complex treatment has developed because of the limited facilities available. Since 1969 the Board has endeavoured to recruit an Orthodonstit but without success. This may have been due to the status of the post. The circular fixes the new posts at Consultant level.
2. The duties of the office specify that the person appointed will provide erthodorniccormfrBrtidn and, where appropriate, specialist treatment for eligible persons referred to him/her and will afford guidance to Public Dental Officers on orthodontic procedures. It is envisaged that the holder of this post will, if required, perform similar duties for the Midland and North Eastern Health Boards, and if required, will undertake teaching duties at University level. He/she if required, will organize and develop a national service for the care of severe cleft palate cases. The post is whole-time, permanent and pensionable, but limited private consultation/practice will be allowed.
3. The Eastern Health Board post will be linked with arrangements to provide a training pathway for future consultants, and the post should have clinical support staff which would provide training opportunities for persons aspiring to consultant status. Clinical support will be provided by the Board's Dental Surgeons and for this additional staff will be required.
4. A base will be required for the Eastern Health Board appointee and this might be in St. James's Hospital which is also the site for the new Dental School in Dublin. Discussions are taking place at present with the Dublin Dental Hospital and the St. James's Hospital Board in regard to the provision at the new Hospital of facilities for the Eastern Health Board's Dental Services, including a base for the Consultant. However, ft will be some years before the new buildings could be provided and in the interim Cornmarket Dental Clinic which is centrally situated may prove a suitable location — but alternative arrangements will have to be made for some of the dental staff working there and for the central dental stores.
5. The proposal is that the Eastern Health Board's Consultant will be involved in the Midland and North Eastern Health Board's services, in the Dental School, in the training
7 10/1/1980
of future Consultants and in the development of a national service for the care of cleft palate cases. This is a very wide remit indeed and would be more appropriate to two Consultant posts than one.
I recommend that —
I. The Consultant post mentioned in the Department's Circular be created and
2. The creation of a second Consultant post be discussed with the Department of Health.
A further report will be submitted in relation to the support staff required for the Consultant." Circular M102/471.
As you are aware recent years have seen a growing demand for orthodontic services and there is a clear need to expand and develop the orthodontic services provided by health boards.
The Working Party, representative of the Department, the health boards and the Irish Dental Association, which recently submitted its report on dental services to the Minister recommended that the service be developed along the following lines:—
(1) To meet the immediate situation, 5 full-time consultant posts in orthodontics should be created on an appropriate population distribution basis.
(2) Two of these posts should be located in Dublin and Cork respectively. The holder of the Dublin post may be required to develop a national service for the care of severe cleft palate cases and consequently may be required to obtain the necessary expertise in that aspect of orthodontics.
(3) The posts in Dublin and Cork should be linked with arrangements to provide a training pathway for future consultant training. Accordingly, each of these posts should have clinical support staff which would provide training opportunities for persons aspiring to consultant status. Clinical support for the other three orthodontists should be provided in the first instance by health board dentists who have particular aptitude and training in orthodontic procedures. Where such clinical support is not available or is inadequate to meet the demand, consideration should be given to the involvement of private practitioners who possess orthodontic qualifications.
The Minister has indicated that he is prepared to authorise the development of orthodontic services along these lines and would also be prepared to authorise the appointment of
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health board dental officers as additional clinical support staff in the Eastern and Southern Health Board areas, if circumstances warranted doing so. In this connection a separate Working Group, on which health boards are represented, operating within the framework of the Local Government Staff Negotiations Board has recommended a revised career structure for the public dental service, including a new grade of Senior Clinical Dental Surgeon.
It is envisaged that this grade would be responsible for the provision of clinical support services in a non-training capacity at local level to dental consultants, including orthodontists. The 'pricing' of this career structure is now proceeding to arbitration.
While Orthodontist appointments could be regarded as "hospital" based, the appointees will in reality be traveling officers providing services at various centers throughout their areas. As such, the appointments would be more appropriate to the Community Care programme and it is visualized that the Programme Manager, Community Care, would have responsibility for the services being provided.
It is visualised that the five orthodontists would be appointed on the following basis:—
Health Board
Head-quarters
No. of Fan time Posts
Support Staff
Eastern Health Board
Dublin 1 - linked with Dental School
Dental Surgeons on higher training plus dental surgeons of EHB.
Southern Health 3 card
Cork 1 - linked with Dental School
Dental Surgeons on higher training plus dental surgeons of SHB.
North-'Western Health Board
Sligo 1 full-time Dental Surgeons of NWHB.
South-Eastern Health Board
Waterford 1 — full-time Dental Surgeons of SEHB.
Western Health Board
Galway 1 — full-time Dental Surgeons of WHB.
Midland Health Board
Serviced by EHB
Dental Surgeons of MHB.
Mid-Western Health Board
Serviced by SHB and WHB
Dental Surgeons of MWHB.
9 10/1/1980
Health Head- No. of Fulltime Board quarters. Posts Support Staff
North-Eastern Serviced by Dental Surgeons of Health EHB. NEHB. Board.
It would appear that the Cork, Galway, Sligo and Water-ford posts might be based respectively on the Regional Hospitals, Cork and Galway and on the County Hospital, Sligo and Ardkeen. A decision will need to be taken on the base for the Dublin appointee. He might possibly be based in St. James's which will also be the site for the proposed new Dental School in Dublin.
The question of whether the provisions of Section 62 of the Health Act 1953 will apply to the Cork post will need to be considered.
While the Minister is prepared to authorise the development of orthodontic services along these lines there are problems in relation to real treatment needs which it would be important for health boards to bear in mind.
It has been the experience in many countries that where an orthodontic service is provided free to the recipient or is sub-sidised the demand for treatment exceeds the real need. Unless some element of control is placed on the categories of patients accepted for treatment in an Orthodontic Service the costs tend to escalate beyond acceptable levels. In general, two factors should be taken into account when selecting patients for treatment:—
1. Dental Health Status: Patients should be free of untreated dental caries with all lesions satisfactorily restored. All patients should be free from active gingivitis and/or period densities. Prior to commencing appliance therapy all patients and parents should be assessed to ensure their willingness to cooperate in preventive measures.
2. Orthodontic Status: The fact that a patient does not have a perfectly aligned set of teeth does not necessarily mean that orthodontic treatment is required, many combinations of such deviations are compatible with both acceptable function or aesthetics. Patients accepted for treatment, therefore. in an orthodontic service should only include the following:
A. Function:
(i) Patients whose mastication or speech is affected or is likely to be affected because of the presence of a malocclusion.
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(\\) Patients in whom other structures in the mouth are being damaged or are likely to be damaged because of the presence of a malocclusion.
B. Aesthetics:
Patients who claim that, due to malocclusion, they feel at a disadvantage socially or psychologically (socio-psychologically). The fact that the patients appearance is not fully acceptable to the parent(s) should not be a major factor in deciding whether a patient requires orthodontic treatment or not.
Enclosed are suggested draft qualifications, particulars of office and duties for the five posts referred to above. Your observations on the overall scheme as outlined above and on the draft documentation enclosed herewith insofar as it applies to your area would be appreciated. The Local Appointments Commissioners have yet to be consulted on the proposed qualifications.
Copies of this letter and enclosures have been forwarded to the Programme Managers, Community Care. Officers of the Department will, of course, be available to discuss the issues involved with you or the Programme Manager if so desired.
A further letter will be addressed to you in the near future regarding oral surgeons and the other secondary level treatment posts referred to in the Working Party Report."
It was agreed unanimously that item 5 be noted and on a proposal by Dr. Walker, seconded by Mr. Harrington that Item 6, including Report No. 3/1980 be noted and adopted.
Mr. B. Pigott set out for the members the following details in relation to dental and orthodontic services.
"(1) Orthodontic Waiting List.
No. on ortho waiting list awaiting assessment — 3,200. Many of these children will have to be assessed before treatment is carried out.
(2) Dental Services Report (Co. Wicklow).
Dr. O'Mahony has circulated statistics on treatment provided to the Wicklow members of the Board.
(3) Dr. Harrington's Resolution.
At Meeting of December 6th on the use of fluoride levels. Discussions have been held with Dr. Hill — Regional Analyst on the use of this probe and he will co-operate. These arrangements are in operation for the four major water
11 10/1/1980
supplies to Dublin, Wicklow and Kildare: Liffey; Ballymore Eustace; Ballyboden and Vartry. They will be extended to the smaller supplies in Wicklow and Kildare later.
(4) Working Party Report: Dr. Harrington's Summary.
(a) Report emphasises prevention and the Minister recently indicated that he would amend the existing legislation to allow the introduction of auxiliary dental personnel who would be preventive orientated — Dental Hygienists. The importance of prevention cannot be over estimated and Dental Hygienists will be an essential aspect of this. Provision is being made in all new clinics for these auxiliaries.
(b) The Report recommended the transfer of some eligible patients to private dentists — this was the subject of a letter from the Department discussed at Board meeting of December 6th.
This transfer of patients scheme is on an Ad Hoc trial basis for a limited period (31/3/'80) and the financial alloca tion is limited. It provides for basic dental services only and in particular for dentures. The scheme has been in operation since just before Christmas. The following are some statistics:
(1) No. of dentists involved. Dublin...................... 142 Kildare.................... 9 Wicklow.................. 6
(2) No. of patients transferred to Dublin........................ 1,170 date Kildare................ 200
Wicklow.............. 60
Total .................. 1,430
(3) Categories dealt with Wicklow and Kildare — Adults. Dublin — 24/60 age group and some students (16/18).
(c) The working party report also recommended the creation of a number of posts of consultant status in den tistry. The letter of 20/12/'79 from the Department and the Chief Executive Officer's report of no. 3/1980 refer to the creation of 5 posts in orthodontics with consultant status — one of these is for the Eastern Health Board. The post may be linked with the cleft palate unit in Dr. Steevens Hospital, The University or Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland and also with the Midland Health Board and North Eastern Health Board.
Support staff will be provided through a new grade in the public dental service — Senior clinical dental surgeons and through those employed in the training pathway — House Surgeons, Registrars/Senior Registrars.
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It is essential that the consultant has an association with a hospital and St. James's Hospital is suggested as a base for him/her.
The wide remit given to this consultant makes it essential that
(I) He/She have adequate support staff and (II) That a second post be created.
The consultant will provide treatment at advanced level, will provide guidance for existing Dental Officers, and will train the Senior Clinical Dental Surgeons who will be working full-time in orthodontics. He will be responsible for the organisation (at clinic level) of the orthodontic services.
He/She will have completed an 8 year training programme before being eligible for appointment."
A discussion to which Doctors Meade, Behan, Walker, Councillors Durkan, Waugh and Alderman FitzGerald contributed followed and the members expressed dissatisfaction with the proposal contained in paragraph 2 of Circular M 102/471 of 20/12/1979 from Department of Health on the Organisation and Development of orthodontic services, to allocate only 1 post of consultant in orthodontics to Dublin. It was considered that the job description for this post which could require the holder to "develop a national service for the care of severe cleft palate cases" was unrealistic as the physical area and population for which the consultant would be responsible was too large to be covered by one person.
The following motion was proposed by Dr. John Walker, seconded by Mr. K. Harrington and carried unanimously
"That this Board view with disappointment and dismay the proposal made by the Department of Health that only one Consultant Orthodontist be appointed to the Eastern Health Board and that this officer will be required to also provide services for the Midland and North-Eastern Health Boards in addition to undertaking a teaching commitment at University level. This Board recommends that at least three Consultant Orthodontists be appointed so as to meet the requirements listed by the Department of Health."
7/80 POST-GRADUATE TRAINING IN GENERAL PRACTICE - REPORT NO. 1/1980
The following report from the Chief Executive Officer was submitted :-
"At its meeting held on 6th July 1978 the Board approved of the provision of a pre-fabricated building at St. James's
13 10/1/1980
Hospital for the encouragement of continuing education of General Practitioners. This development was in accord with the general policy of the Council for Post-graduate Medical and Dental Education in regard to the co-ordination and encouragement of post-graduate education: in approving the provision of this facility the Board noted that three other centres were envisaged in Dublin.
An application for financial assistance in establishing a similar centre on the North side has now been received from the Secretary of the organising committee who is also one of the coordinators for Post-graduate Medical Education appointed by the Council. The centre is to be set up in premises adjoining the Mater Hospital and is being made available by the Hospital which is also prepared to make a contribution towards the cost of conversion. It will serve the North side as a whole pending the provision of purpose-built centres in the new Beaumont and Mater Hospitals. The application is for a grant of £20,000 towards the estimated cost of £25,000 of providing a lecture theatre, seminar/discussion/display facilities, library/reading room, some catering accommodation, offices etc.
The Committee established to set up and operate the centre includes a Director of Community Care and Medical Officer of Health.
I recommend that the Board seek the approval of the Minister for Health to making of a grant of up to £20,000 towards the cost of conversion and renovation of the premises, and the provision of equipment."
On a proposal by Dr. Sheehan seconded by Dr. Powell the report was adopted.
In a discussion which followed and to which Prof. McCormick, Dr. Kelly, Dr. Behan and Dr. Sheehan and Cllr. Connolly contributed the importance of developing contact and interchange of ideas between all the disciplines engaged in providing medical services in hospitals and in the community was stressed. The following motion was proposed by Dr. Kelly seconded by Dr. Sheehan and carried unanimously.
"That £20,000 be requested from the Department of Health towards Post-Graduate education in the South Eastern area of Dubiin and Wicklow."
8/80 SCHEME FOR TRAINING IN GENERAL MEDICAL PRACTICE - REPORT NO 2/1980
The following report from the Chief Executive Officer was submitted.
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"The Board has been informed, following meetings between representatives of the Faculty of Community Medicine, Royal College of Physicians, and officers of the Department of Health, of a proposal to establish an in-service training programme to enable doctors to obtain membership of the Faculty of Community Medicine.
In that connection it is proposed, subject to the concurrence of the Board, to initiate an experimental training course in the Eastern Health Board's area and to recruit eight trainees for the course.
The Minister for Health has indicated his willingness to approve of the posts and the formal approval of the Board is requested to the creation of eight posts of trainee doctors in community medicine for the purposes of the training programme."
On a proposal by Prof. McCormick seconded by Dr. Walker the report was adopted.
A discussion followed to which Dr. Sheehan, Dr. Behan, Dr. Walker and Prof. McCormick contributed and Mr. Donohue stated that while the precise details of the training programme have not been decided on it was envisaged that the training would be part full-time and part day release. The first part of the training would consist of 1 years academic study followed by experience in general practice and hospitals. This section should take 3 years to complete. In the following 3 years the trainee would prepare a thesis on which he would be admitted to membership.
9/80 FREE FUEL SCHEMES- REPORT NO 4/1980
The following report on the Free Fuel Scheme was submitted :-
"At the December 1979 meeting of the Board members gave some consideration to the differences between the Health Board's Fuel Scheme and the Schemes administered by the Urban Local Authorities in the area. It was agreed that the topic would be on the Agenda again for the January 1980 meeting. A copy of the handout circulated at the December meeting is attached.
The areas of operation of the schemes are as follows:—
Urban Schemes: (a)Dublin City (b)Dun Laoire Borough
(c)Balbriggan (d)Bray Urban District (e)Wicklow Urban District
15 10/1/1980 (f ) Arkiow Urban District (g) Urban Authority housing estates outside the urban areas.
Health Board Scheme: All parts of the Board's area other than those covered by the Urban Schemes.
In summary the Local Authority Schemes are more beneficial to those in Group A - as they are automatically eligible regardless of other income or home conditions, (see overleaf).
The Health Board Scheme is more beneficial to Group B — as they are automatically eligible provided that they are "living alone" and have no other income. Persons in this group residing in the areas covered by the Local Authority Schemes are subject to assessment under the norms of the Supplementary Welfare Allowances Act and eligibility is determined on the basis of individual need.
Group C — are automatically entitled under the Local Authority Schemes but are subject to assessment as to individual need under the Health Board Scheme.
The evident variations in eligibility as between the two Schemes derive from the different statutory origins of the Schemes and from differing regulatory guidelines of the Department of Social Welfare. Officers of the Board continue to have regular discussions with officers of the Department and Local Authorities on the operation of the Schemes.
Eastern Health Board/Dublin Corporation and other Local Authorities* Fuel Schemes 1979/1980
Under these schemes a voucher valued £1.50 may be issued to certain categories of recipients each week from October to April (30 weeks) during which eligibility continues. The vouchers may be exchanged for fuel of various types or used in payment of bills for electricity or gas. Only one voucher is issued per household per week. Under the Corporation scheme the voucher may also be exchanged for 50 kg. of turf at a Corporation turf depot if preferred. The Eastern Health Board scheme applies outside those areas covered by the Corporation and other local authority schemes.
The following persons are eligible for vouchers under the scheme concerned:
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Category
Group (A) Persons in receipt of
Old Age Pension (Non Cont.)
Widow's Pension (Cont)
Widow's Pension (Non-Cont.)
Blind Pension
Supplementary Welfare Allowance.
Group (B) Persons in receipt of Old Age pension (Cont.). Retirement Pension Deserted Wife's Bene
fit Prisoner's Wife's
Allow. Single Woman's Allow. Unmarried Mother's Allow.
Invalidity Pension Disabled Persons
Main. Allow. Infectious Diseases
Main. Allow. Garda Widow's
Pension Special Allowance
from Dept. of Def.
Group (C) Persons in receipt of Unemploy
ment Assistance who have dependants
* Local Authority Scheme
Voucher issued automatically each week by post offices with payment of pension
Vouchers issued by Community Welfare Officer monthly in advance.
Not automatically entitled
Vouchers issued automatically by Employment Exchanges each week with payment of assistance
Eastern Health Board Scheme
Vouchers issued monthly in advance by Community Welfare Officers to recipients who live alone or with a dependant spouse or child or an incapacitated person or are invalided or aged and live withoneothetper-son who provides full-time care AND who have no other source of income.
Not automatically entitled.
While persons in Group (B) are not entitled to vouchers under the Corporation scheme and those in Group (C) are not entitled under the Eastern Health Board scheme, nevertheless any person in these groups or any other person who by reason of financial difficulties, state of health or other relevant circumstances are considered by the Community Welfare Officer to require special assistance towards heating needs, may have such needs met, either by issue of vouchers under the scheme applicable in the area or by such other means as may be appropriate under the Supplementary Welfare Allowances code.
"The local authorities operating fuel schemes in the Eastern Health Board area are:- Dublin Corporation, Dun Laoghaire Corporation, Balbriggan Town Commissioners and Bray, Wicklow and Arklow Urban District Councils."
On.a proposal by Cllr. Connolly seconded by Cllr. Carroll the report was noted. It was agreed that the motion by Cllr. Connolly could be taken at this point. The motion -
17 10/1/1980
'That this committee advises the Eastern Health Board to call on the Minister for Health to provide sufficient funds to increase the weekly payment under the Free Fuel Scheme from the present sum of £1.50 per week to a sum of £5.00 per week, that those eligible receive payments as of right, and that payments be made to those eligible at the start of the year if they have storage facilities and that the scheme operate for 40 weeks for special categories."-
was seconded by Cllr. Carroll and carried unanimously. In a discussion which followed to which Councillors Hickey, Hynes and Groome contributed Mr. Donohue stated that anomalies arising between the two fuel schemes were discussed with the Department of Health and that applicants for service must be advised of their right of appeal.
10/80 REVISION OF MEDICAL CARD GUIDELINES - REPORT NO. 5/1980.
The following report No. 5/1980 from the Chief Executive Officer was submitted :-
'The guidelines operative from 1st January, 1979 were based on the Consumer Price Index figures at mid November, 1978. The Consumer Price Index figures for November, 1979 have now become available and, having regard to them, I have revised the guidelines with effect from 1st January, 1980 as shown hereunder.
Current guide- Revised lines (operative guidelines
Category from 1 Jan from 1 1979) Jan. 1980
£ £ Single Person living with relatives 24.00 28.00
Single person living alone 28.00 32.50
Husband and Wife 40.50 47.00
Husband. Wife & 1 child 44.50 52.00
" " 2 children 48.50 57.00
" " 3 children 52.50 62.00
" " 4 children 56.50 67.00
" " 5 children 60.50 72.00
" " 6 children 64.50 77.00
For each additional child under 16 years 4.00 5.00
For each child over 16 years with no income and
maintained at home by applicant 5.50 6.50
To the Income Guidelines shown above are added:
a) Weekly housing outgoings, rent, ground rent, mortgage charges etc.) in excess of 4.00 5.00
b) Exceptional expenses necessarily incurred in travelling to and from work where these create undue hardship.
18
Parsons with no income other tftan:-
(a) Old age non-contributory pension (maximum) (b) Old Age (Care) Allowance (c) Deserted Wives Allowance (d) Infectious Disease (Maintenance) Allowance (e) Disabled Persons (Maintenance) Allowance (f) Social Assistance Allowance for unmarried mothers (maximum) (g) Social assistance allowance for single women (maximum) (h) Widows (non-contributory) pension (maximum) (i) Orphans (non-contributory) allowance (maximum) (j) Blind (non-contributory) pension (maximum) (k) Supplementary Welfare Allowance
- will be regarded as being eligible for a medical card.
Cases of hardship will continue to be dealt with individually on merit."
On a proposal by Cllr. Hickey seconded by Cllr. Groome the report was noted.
11/80 LETTER FROM ST. JAMES'S HOSPITAL REQUESTING TRANSFER OF SITES AT GARDEN HILL AND MOUNT BROWN TO
FACILITATE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW HOSPITAL (TOGETHER WITH COPIES OF RELEVANT EXTRACTS FROM REPORTS No. 22/1978 OF 2nd AUGUST, 1978 AND NO. 35/1978 OF
7th DECEMBER, 1978).
22nd November, 1979.
"Mr. James J. Nolan, Chief Executive Officer, Eastern Health Board.
Dear Mr. Nolan,
You are aware, in your capacity as a member of the St. James's Hospital Board, of the major development programme envisaged for the Hospital and specifically the proposals in regard to the envisaged usage of portions of the overall site which do not form a part of the area leased to the Hospital Board. I refer to the Garden Hill and Mount Brown areas.
On behalf of the St. James's Hospital Board, I now submit a formal request to the Eastern Health Board for the transfer of the areas in question to the Hospital Board. The Hospital Board presumes that this request will have to be channelled in the appropriate way through the Health Board and the Minister and it would be appreciative of your personal efforts to have the matter dealt with as expeditiously as possible in the circumstances. I have asked the Project/Technical Services Manager to submit to you a site plan outlining details of the additional area which the Hospital Board is now requesting.
19 10/1/1980
I am under advice from the Project/Technical Services Manager that he had made formal application to your Board for wayleave permission on the Garden Hill site for drainage services and no doubt this also will receive your urgent and sympathetic attention.
Yours sincerely,
L. Hogan, Hospital Administrator."
Extract from Report No. 22/1978 of 2/8/78
"GARDEN HILL SITE
When the new St. James's Board was established in 1971, I advised the Eastern Health Board to transfer to the new Hospital Board all the site including the Laundry, Boiler-house and Mortuary areas but excluding a specified area at Garden Hill and the large area between Hospitals 1 and 2 and St. James's Street.
The area at Garden Hill was reserved because of arrangements made since 1969 with University College Dublin Department of Psychiatry, the Irish Foundation for Human Development and the Endocrine Unit, for use of various parts of the site. The situation was summarized in Report No. 12/1976 which was adopted by the Board in March 1976. In the meantime the St. James's Hospital Board have been advised by their Project Team that the Garden Hill site would be required for development of the new Hospital.
A meeting was held in Garden Hill House on July 12th 1978 to consider a proposal from the St. James's Hospital Project Team to utilise the entire site at Garden Hill for the new Boiler house and Workshops. The following attended:-
Prof. D. Howie Mr. T. Keyes Mr. P. Dalton Dr. J. Cullen Mr. P. V. Moloney Dr. J. Behan Mr. J. J. Nolan Mr. T. Harty
The main points of the meeting were:
1. Dr. Cullen assured Dr. Howie of the Foundations wish and intention to co-operate fully with the St. James's Hospital Board but pointed out that the Foundation's needs and current development proposals would also have to be catered for in terms of suitable site area and location.
2. It was agreed that the Foundation would prepare an outline brief of requirements for discussion with the St. James's Design Team representatives as to the possibility
20
of adequate suitable accommodation being available else-where on the site.
3. It was also agreed that in the meantime the St. James's Hospital Board should press the Department to sanction the acquisition of the adjoining site of 1.3 acres which would be of great advantage to the new Hospital in any event, but might also be essential in making available an alternative suitable site for the Foundation. The Eastern Health Board would be asked to support the acquisition of the 1.3 acre site.
4. The Endocrine Unit, controlled by Dr. Darragh, on behalf of the Biological and Medical Research Institute, which had hitherto been excluded from any site proposals or arrangements involving the Foundation, would if all parties agreed, be included in a "package" deal involving a new site etc. for the Foundation. The Unit has standard service arrangements with the Eastern Health Board.
5. All matters involved herein would have to be considered by Professor Browne on his return from America and also in due course by the Boards involved.
6. On the assumption that the expected date of June 1979 for starting the Boilerhouse etc was valid, the Foundation, if an alternative acceptable site was guaranteed formally by the St. James's Board, would have no objection to the construction of the Boilerhouse starting on such part of the Garden Hill site as did not involve the activities of the Foundation.
7. A working party was set up consisting of Messrs. Dalton, Moloney, Keyes, Cullen, Behan and Harty to arrange for examination of the Foundation's proposals and the provision by St. James's Board of suitable alternative facilities."
Extract from Report No. 35/1978 of 7/12/1978
"DEVELOPMENT OF ST. JAMES'S HOSPITAL Garden Hill Site, Long-Stay Units, Office Accommodation
Board Membership
In my report of 2nd August, 1978 (No. 22/1978) to the Board I informed members of the background to developments at the Garden Hill site, including the request from the St. James's Hospital Project Team to be given the site for the new hospital boilerhouse. In the meantime the joint working party set up to examine the various proposals involved have had several meetings as a result of which more detailed proposals are now available. In the first instance Professor Browne, Dr. Cullen and Dr. Behan have prepared a detailed brief for the planning of a complex to include a full Department
21 10/1/1980
of Psychiatry and the Irish Foundation for Human Development. The brief is in general accord with the broad principles set out in the Ad Hoc Committees Report, except that permanent structures are now proposed, which would naturally cost a lot more than the transfer of existing temporary structures envisaged in the negotiations with the St. James's Board. In order to provide an alternative site for these structures and thereby free Garden Hill for development, the St. James's Board have negotiated with the Department of Health for funds to purchase a site adjoining the Rial to end of the Hospital grounds. This site has been considered by Professor Browne's group including Mr. P. V. Moloney, Architect and they are satisfied that it would provide sufficient ground room, services etc. for the proposals in their brief.
If all the negotiations in relation to the Rialto site are successfully concluded and if the Eastern Health Board consider that the "swop" arrangements are acceptable then the Garden Hill site may be made available to the St. James's Board for development. In that regard the final legal formalities for transfer of the Garden Hill Site to the Foundation are being completed. It should be noted that the Endocrine Unit remains in its present location."
On a proposal by Dr. Behan seconded by Dr. Sheehan the letter with copies of reports 22/1978 and 35/1978 was noted.
A discussion followed in which Dr. Behan stated that the transfer of the site is essential to enable the new St. James's Hospital to be developed. Dr. Walker asked if this proposed move would confer permanence on the 2 other units on the Garden Hill site and Mr. Nolan set out the position as follows:
In the 1960's the Dublin Health Authority consented to the setting up of a biological and medical research unit with a special involvement in endocrinology on a site at Garden Hill in the then St. Kevin's Hospital. This unit was related to the Department of Psychiatry U.C.D. headed by Professor I. Browne, Chief Psychiatrist of the Eastern Health Board whose headquarters and professorial unit are also at Garden Hill. At a later date the Foundation for Human Development was set up also on a site at Garden Hill. This unit which is a separate entity with a psycho-somatic orientation has a working relationship with Professor Browne's Department and with the Biological and Medical Research Institute. It was never intended that these groups would be temporary and they hold tenure rights under formal agreements. Negotiations are now proceeding to obtain from the St. James's Board an area of land (approximately equivalent to that at present occupied by the three bodies) to which these bodies
22
may transfer so that the development of the new Hospitals energy etc centre at Garden Hill may not be impeded.
The Chief Executive Officer also emphasised that if the Board's psychiatric service was ever to attain to a significant grade of professional status and acceptance at consultant and service levekthe Chief Psychiatrist would need to be provided as soon as possible with an adequate permanent headquarters complex at Garden Hill. In the interim Professor Browne would be obliged to continue to carry out his functions as Chief Psychiatrist in temporary buildings to be provided by the St. James's Hospital Board and located on the Brookfield site. The following motion was proposed by Dr. Behan, seconded by Cllr. Carroll and carried unanimously:
The Eastern Health Board hereby agree that in order to expedite construction of the new St. James's Hospital and thereby improve considerably the level of health services available to the community, the area at Garden Hill, at present in use by the Foundation for Human Development, the Biological and Medical Research Institute and the administrative, clinical and research department of the Chief Psychiatrist of the Eastern Health Board be transferred as soon as possible to the Hospital Board who will provide for each of the three groups a site, accommodation and related facilities equitably equivalent to the existing sites etc. with appropriate compensation for disturbance where such is a real cost factor.
"The Eastern Health Board also agree to accept in principle the proposals as endorsed by the "ad hoc" committee regarding provision on a permanent basis of buildings, facilities and staff for the Chief Psychiatrist's Department on the Brookfield site provided by the St. James's Hospital Board and to submit them to the Minister for approval, after the necessary schedules and estimated costs have been prepared by the Programme Manager in conjunction with the Chief Psychiatrist and authorised."
It was also agreed that the Board should nominate a small group to meet the Secretary of the Department of Health during the week commencing 21/1/1980 to consider the proposals.
The members of the delegation are:
C. E. O. Mr. J. J. Nolan, Dr. J. J. Behan, Prof. I. Browne, Mr. T. Keyes, Alderman A. FitzGerald, Cllr. D. Browne, Dr. B. Sheehan and one other who would meet beforehand to decide on the form of submission.
23 10/1/1980
Mr. Keyes advised the Board that he has a brief for the meeting in draft form as originally submitted to the Board in 1978.
12/80 ST. COLUMCILLE'S HOSPITAL - DEVELOPMENT OF MATERNITY SERVICES REPORT
NO. 6/1980.
The following report No. 6/1980 from the Chief Executive Officer was submitted.
"The Board will be aware for some time past, from reports of the Visiting Committee that there has been a considerable increase in activity at the Maternity Unit, St. Columcille's. During recent years, also, there has been a continuous programme of improvements in facilities and accommodation and with the construction of a new Stores it has been possible to revert a ward area to the Unit, thereby bringing the number of beds available to the original complement of 34.
The number of deliveries during the past 10 years has been
1970 609 1971 588 1972 582 1973 654 1974 616
1975 598 1976 611 1977 697 1978 816 1979 948
It is expected that with the continued growth in population in the area served by the hospital as confirmed in the Preliminary Report of the April, 1979 Census, the upward trend in the number of births will continue.
The unit is fully equipped and has ultra-sound facilities in a comprehensively staffed radiological back-up service. There is also a neo-natal service on a temporary basis including nurseries for well and sick babies. The consultant staff at the moment consists of two Obstetricians whose combined sessions are equal approximately to one whole-time consultant. There are also two Obstetrical Registrars attached to the unit. These staffing arrangements have not been expanded to meet the greatly increased and growing demand on the unit. This restriction was due principally to the reluctance of Comhairle na nOspideal to authorise additional consultant appointments unless we were linked to a large maternity unit. In that regard there have been exploratory discussions during recent months with the National Maternity Hospital and with officers of Comhairle na nOspideal. These discussions have indicated that the consultant staff should be strengthened immediately to provide the* equivalent of two full-time obstetricians. Comhairle has strongly advised that the Unit should be linked on an integrated basis with the
24
National Maternity Hospital. From the viewpoint of service to the public this advice has merit, in so far as the obstetrical services for South Oublin and Wicklow are provided almost entirely by the National Maternity Hospital and by St. Columcille's Hospital. An advantage arising from a linked service would be the provision of uniform standards of staffing and patient care at the highest levels in both hospitals. In addition an adequate consultant-staffed neo-natal service at St Columcille's would also be provided. A further probable advantage would be the introduction of training programmes for medical personnel in St. Columcille's which at the moment is not recognised by the Royal College of Obstetricians for training purposes for M.R.C.O.G.
In the course of the exploratory discussions as to the possibility of a linked relationship, the National Maternity Hospital were agreeable that the existing admission, care and discharge policies of the Eastern Health Board in relation to patients from the South Dublin and Wicklow area would be continued and developed. Related neo-natal facilities would also be considerably improved. All medical staff involved in the joint Obstetrical Unit would be under the control of the Master of the National Maternity Hospital who would be responsible for supplying the necessary number of Registrars, Senior House Officers etc to the St. Columcille's unit Within that situation, special arrangements would have to be made in relation to continuance of our existing consultant staff with full preservation of existing rights and conditions of service. Nursing and ancillary staffs in the Unit would have similar arrangements and safeguards. The position would be similar to that of the Dialysis Unit (in St Mary's Hospital) the activities of which have been under the direct control of Jervis Street Hospital for the past three years.
In the light of the present policy parameters of the Comh-airle which will entail discontinuance of smaller maternity hospitals, I regard it as prudent for the Board to recognise that reality and to seek to preserve and advance the maternity unit at St Columcille's by integrating it with the major hospital, even if in so doing the professional control of the unit passes to the National Maternity Hospital. The existing consultant obstetricians. Doctors Brennan and Gallagher together with Dr. Hanratty, obstetrician to St. James's Hospital, Dr. Malone, Radiologist, Dr. Cusack, Medical Administrator and Sister Angelis, Matron agree, that the real interests of the mothers who come to the St. Columcille's Maternity Unit would be best served by integrating with the National Maternity Hospital.
In effect, if we get a firm commitment that the St. Columcille's unit will be continued and advanced as an active maternity unit and that the National Maternity Hospital will make
25 10/1/1980
available to the unit all necessary resources in staff, equipment and expertise, then integration of the unit with the National Maternity Hospital should be very much to the advantage of the mothers who come to the unit for confinement and to their babies.
In any event, it is quite clear as I have already pointed out to the Board, that we cannot continue to represent ourselves as providing a maternity service at St. Columcille's if we have not got the necessary consultant staff and related facilities.
Although not directly related to the obstetrical unit at St. Columcille's I think it as well, in the general context of hospital developments, to place the following points, also before the Board at this stage. Members are already aware from previous reports and discussions that six major general hospitals are envisaged for the Dublin area viz: St. Vincent's, Mater, Beaumont, St. James's, James Connolly and Tallaght, with continuance of three major separate maternity hospitals viz: Rotunda, Coombe and National Maternity. Smaller general hospitals such as at St. Columcille's, St. Michael's, and Naas, will in accordance with Comhairle policy, have to be linked for consultant appointments with one or more of the major hospitals. St. Michael's already have linked appointments with St. Vincent's (with the approval of Comhairle) and we are continuing our protracted negotiations with St. Vincent's for the same purpose. In the absence of any progress in linking Naas Hospital with St. James's Hospital we have opened negotiations with the Meath Hospital for linked consultant appointments with Naas, in anticipation of the Meath/Adelaide group moving to the new Tallaght Hospital. In that connection it is interesting to note that while the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland nominate St. Michael's as a general hospital recognised for General Professional Training they do not accord similar recognition to St. Columcille's or to Naas Hospitals.
It would also be as well for the Board to start considering at this stage whether the probable continuance of this trend towards integration of these three smaller hospitals with major units may lead inexorably to the evolution eventually, by stages, of a system of joint management for St. Vincent's, St. Columcille's and St. Michael's and for Tallaght and Naas Hospitals."
Mr. Nolan told the members that due to the reluctance of Comhairle na nOspideal to authorise additional consultant appointments at the hospital unless linked with major units the Board had no choice, if it wished to continue providing an adequate service at St. Columcille's, but to seek integrated appointments with larger units.
26
The whole position was considered in detail with unan-mous agreement that the Chief Executive Officer's submission was timely and well-founded and should be endorsed. It was hoped that in the implementation of necessary arrangements, St. Columcille's would continue to be developed as an active acute front-line unit and that any contrary trends would be strongly resisted by the Board.
The representatives from Kildare made strong representations for a special development plan for Naas Hospital and expressed misgivings about any future links with the proposed new Hospital at Taliaght. It was agreed that the working party set up at the meeting on 1st November 1979 (to consider the development of St. Columcille's and Naas Hospitals) should meet as soon as possible to consider the representations made. The members of the party are:—
Ald. A. FitzGerald Cllr. E. Stagg Cllr. P. Hickey Cllr. J. Sweeney Cllr. B. Durkan Prof. J. McCormick Cllr. F. Hynes Cllr. M. Carroll Dr. A. Meade
The following motions were then proposed and carried unanimously
1. Proposed by Cllr. Hickey, Seconded by Cllr. Sweeney
"That the Eastern Health Board in view of the policy of Comhairle na nOspideal that smaller maternity units should be discontinued and having regard to the increasing needs of the community for comprehensive obstetrical services, decide that, in the first instance, the maternity unit at St. Columcille's must be continued and for that purpose all necessary arrangements be initiated with the National Maternity Hospital — if the Charter of that Hospital so permits — for control, operation and staffing of the unit by them on behalf of the Board, subject to the agreement of the Minister for Health."
2. Proposed by Cllr. Hickey, Seconded by Cllr. Waugh.
'That the Eastern Health Board in view of the policy of Comhairle na nOspideal that consultant appointments to smaller general hospitals will only be authorised on the basis of formal linking of such appointments with a large general hospital, hereby decide that the necessary arrangements be made with St. Vincent's Hospital, Elm Park whereby consultant services in medicine, surgery, paediatrics, pathology, radiology and anaesthetics and such other services as may be required will be provided by means of joint appointments in those specialities in both hospitals. All such arrangements must be such as to ensure the continued progress of St. Columcille's as an active acute hospital, serving the community in accordance with
27 10/1/1980
the programmes and policies of the Board, subject to the agreement of the Minister for Health."
13/80 NOTICES OF MOTION
The following motion was proposed by Dr. J. Behan
'That the Board request the Minister to meet a deputation to discuss:
The Tallaght Hospital Establishment Order.
1. Representation on the Planning Board for Tallaght Hospital.
2. And that the Eastern Health Board have representation on the Boards of all voluntary hospitals to assist the Department in ensuring the co-ordination and delivery of an integrated hospital service across both public and private sectors."
Speaking to the motion Dr. Behan said that he wanted the Eastern Health Board to have a vigorous and viable representation on the management and planning boards of Tallaght Hospital. He considered that the management boards of all voluntary hospitals should be representative of the groups who would run the hospital i.e. the staff, the community and the Eastern Health Board and that E.H.B. representation on the boards should be the same as in St. James's Hospital where 50% of the Board of Management are nominated by the Eastern Health Board and this arrangement appears to work satisfactorily. He said that at present the Boards of Management of voluntary hospitals have no public accountability for their affairs and are non-democratic and called for the proper integration of the voluntary hospitals service into the community with one tier operation.
Dr. Behan stated that his proposals were not intended as an attack on religious orders but that there is a two tier health service in operation catering for the private and public sectors respectively and the Eastern Health Board is left with the less attractive end of the service.
The motion was seconded by Dr. B. Sheehan and items 1 and 2 were carried unanimously. At Dr. Behan's request it was agreed to include item 3 on the agenda for the next meeting of the Board.
Dr. Behan also recommended that Dr. Woods Minister for Health should be invited to meet the Board to discuss particular problems of the Public sector Health Service and proposed the following motion which was seconded by Dr. Sheehan and carried unanimously
28
(i) "That the Health Board invite the newly appointed Minister for Health to Meet the Health Board so that he may become acquainted at first hand with the particular problems of the Public Sector Health Service thereby improving his understanding of the Health Board's needs and improving liaison between the Minister and the Health Board.
(ii) It is further proposed that this meeting might best take place by extending an invitation to the Minister to attend the second day of the Board's proposed seminar on its role and function to meet the members and engage in discussions on a structured agenda."
It was agreed that the Minister should be invited to attend at the second day of the seminar for which a structured agenda could be prepared.
It was agreed that the motion tabled by Cllr. Connolly
"That a family planning clinic be set up in the Ballinteer Health Centre."
be deferred to the next meeting.
The following motion was proposed by Cllr. B. J. Durkan seconded by Dr. A. Meade and carried unanimously.
'That this Board would approve the allocation of funds for the acquisition of 6 houses adjacent to Naas Hospital for the purpose of meeting staff accommodation requirements, i.e. 2 houses for doctors, 1 for casualty officer and 3 for other staff."
Mr. Nolan stated that there is no provision in the Capital Programme for the provision of the accommodation recommended in the motion but undertook to have it considered for inclusion in a future programme.
The following motion was proposed by Cllr. M. Freehill
"That immediate steps be taken to alleviate the long delay incurred in the processing of Disabled Persons Maintenance Allowance applications."
Speaking to the motion Cllr. Freehill expressed concern at the hardship which applicants of D.P.M.A. suffered while waiting for approval of their applications.
Mr. Donohue replied that applications for D.P.M.A. dealt with as quickly as possible and where delays occurred the applicant if eligible received financial support by way of a Supplementary Welfare allowance. The Board has a statutory
29 10/1/1980
obligation to examine the means of each applicant and in many cases applications for the allowance were submitted without medical evidence that the applicant was disabled. Added to this there was an accumulation of arrears due to the postal strike. He undertook to have outstanding claims processed and assured Cllr. Freehill that where an applicant could be given interim support by way of a Supplementary Welfare Allowance that this was done.
The motion was seconded by Ald. A. FitzGerald and carried unanimously.
There was no correspondence.
The meeting finished at 10.05 p.m.
Correct. J. J. Nolan
Chief Executive Officer.
Signed CHAIRMAN