asked the Minister for Health if the cost per patient per week is higher in voluntary public hospitals than in country hospitals and, if so, by how much and the reasons why.
Written Answers. - Hospital Patients' Costs.
395.
Based on 1978 statistics, the average cost per patient per week in voluntary public hospitals was approximately 19 per cent higher than the corresponding figure for country hospitals. The higher average for voluntary public hospitals is due broadly to the fact that the figure is based on costings which include major voluntary teaching hospitals which provide a wide range of specialities, including national and regional specialities.
396.
asked the Minister for Health the percentage by which costs per patient per week in the four voluntary public hospitals, exceed the average for all such hospitals, the identity of the hospitals in each case and the reasons for the excess.
Based on 1978 statistics, the average cost per patient week for voluntary public hospitals generally was exceeded most significantly by the Mater Misericordiae Hospital, St. Laurence's Hospital, the National Children's Hospital and Jervis Street Hospital. In the case of these hospitals the average cost was exceeded to the extent of approximately 65 per cent, 48 per cent, 38 per cent and 34 per cent, respectively.
Individual hospital costs are influenced by a variety of factors including the range of specialties provided, whether teaching or non-teaching, and the general activity level of the hospital. It will be appreciated that the average cost for voluntary hospitals covers hospitals which differ significantly in character and in costs. This accounts for the excess of costs in the hospitals mentioned over the average for all hospitals in the voluntary public hospital category.
397.
asked the Minister for Health the county hospitals in which the cost per patient per week is more than 50 per cent above the national average and the reasons in each case.
Data in respect of costings for county hospitals for 1978 indicate that in no case was the cost per patient per week more than 50 per cent above the average cost for county hospitals in general.