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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 24 May 2000

Vol. 519 No. 6

Written Answers. - Hospital Services.

Willie Penrose

Question:

159 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Health and Children the steps which are being taken to ensure that hospital wards and operating theatres will not be closed during the summer months other than for essential repair purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14539/00]

In developing and delivering service plans, the implementation of an appropriate mix between in-patient, day care and out-patient care is a major consideration for local management in seeking to maximise overall activity. As part of this process, activity in the acute hospital sector is planned over a 12 month period having regard to anticipated levels of emergency admissions and the overall resources available. In achieving the activity targets set out in the annual service plans, temporary bed and theatre closures generally form a part of the normal management function performed by local management as part of their efforts to optimise the overall activity delivered within the resources available. They also, of course, facilitate staff annual leave, refurbishment works and the scaling down of elective activity at times of low demand such as the high summer period and at Christmas.

Notwithstanding this, the Deputy will be aware that yesterday I announced a major £10 million initiative on public hospital waiting lists. In drawing up proposals for this additional waiting list work, the chief executive officers were asked to examine various measures, including utilising facilities during the traditional closure periods in order to maximise overall capacity in the system. The proposals received by agencies following this examination of options by the chief executive officers are to be funded in full.

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