Inner-city hospital closures in Dublin: implications for general practice

Background The Meath, Adelaide and National Children's Hospitals provided m ore than 300,000 ambulatory care episodes in 1996, half to residents of the adjacent inner-city postal districts. With the closure of the group in 199 8, alternative care arrangements must now be provided. Aims This paper examines the socio-economic and primary care characteristic s of the communities most affected. Methods Data on the 13 District Electoral Divisions surrounding the hospita ls are drawn from a range of published sources. Results The populations affected include 52% in social classes 5 to 7, have an average Standardised Mortality Ratio of 122, have high levels of GMS el igibility and include special care issues such as drug dependency. A total of 38 GPs cover the area. Other markers of deprivation are summarised. Conclusion The areas most affected by the closures have existing high level s of deprivation and social and medical need. Initiatives to respond to the closures must address these needs.