Source: Hansard House of Commons Debates

PUBLIC HEALTH (IRELAND)—CHOLERA HOSPITALS.HC Deb 17 July 1884 vol 290 c1401 1401  COLONEL NOLAN asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, if, in the event of the cholera travelling considerably nearer to us, the Local Government Board will take steps to have at least one portable or easily erected hospital ready; and, if, in the case of a violent outbreak of small pox in Athenry, about seven years ago, some delay was experienced in the erection of such a hospital?

TREVELYAN:

I am advised that the duty of providing hospitals is placed by law on the Boards of Guardians and Sanitary Authorities; and the Local Government Board has no power to take upon itself the duties devolving upon the Local Authorities, or to undertake to provide portable hospitals.

PUBLIC HEALTH—PORTABLE HOSPITALS.HC Deb 18 July 1884 vol 290 c1606 1606

COLONEL NOLAN asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, if the Local Government Board have in their possession any model or plan of a temporary or portable hospital, such as they would recommend for use in the event of an outbreak of cholera; if he will state the time it would take to manufacture such an hospital; and, if, in the case of a violent outbreak of small pox in Athenry, about seven years ago, some delay was experienced in the erection of such a hospital

TREVELYAN:

The Local Government Board have a plan for a portable iron hospital which can be put up in a very short time, and which has been prepared by a London firm which supplies such buildings. The Local Government Board has also a plan for a temporary wooden hospital which can be erected quickly, though not so quickly as an iron hospital. I have impressed on the Board the desirability of circulating these plans without waiting until the local authorities ask for them. The time in which an an hospital can be obtained and put up depends upon whether or not they are kept in stock, and the Board are making inquiry on this point. The difficulty in Athenry, to which the hon. and gallant Members refers, was caused by the fear of infection on the part of tradesmen.

Typhoid Epidemic (Athenry, Ireland).HC Deb 09 March 1911 vol 22 cc1381-2 1381

Mr. DUFFY asked whether any preventative measures have been taken by the Government to prevent a recurrence of the typhoid epidemic which visited and ruined so many families in the bog area of Gloves, Athenry, all through last year; whether he is aware that the tenants are living in a wilderness of marsh and bog, and in constant terror of invading disease; whether the Browne estate in the district has been offered to the Commissioners; and whether, in view of the urgency of dealing with this fever-threatened district as soon as possible, the right hon. Gentleman will direct the attention of the Estates Commissioners and the Congested Districts Board to the exceptional circumstances of this village with a view of removing the people on to the lands of the Browne and Monahan estates?

Mr. BIRRELL:

Five cases of typhoid fever which occurred in two families at the place referred to were notified to the Local Government Board during the year 1910. The usual precautionary measures were carried out. It devolves on the sanitary authority and their officers and not upon the Local Government Board to take preventive action in connection with outbreaks of infectious disease.

The Gloves section of the Browne Estate has been offered to the Congested Districts Board, and the offer will be considered by them. The Monahan estate was offered for sale in 1906, but the offer was declined by the Board.