Jan O'Sullivan
Question:270 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health and Children when he expects to receive the report on the review of bed capacity in public hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4854/01]
Written Answers. - Hospital Accommodation.
As the Deputy is aware, a review of bed capacity has been initiated in both the acute and non-acute settings, on foot of the commitment by Government in the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness. The bed review is being conducted by my Department in conjunction with the Department of Finance and in consultation with the social partners. I presented the interim findings of the review to my Government colleagues last year, as part of the Estimates discussions for 2001, and identified a range of immediate investment proposals aimed at addressing identified service difficulties. I am pleased to say that funding of £32 million has been approved on foot of phase 1 of the review to help alleviate service pressures and to maintain services to patients in the acute hospital sector, particularly over the winter period.
The second phase of the national bed review is now under way and involves the development of a longer-term investment strategy for the acute and non-acute sectors. The review will also involve a detailed assessment of need, including an analysis of future bed requirements by medical and surgical specialty. This phase of the review will be completed in April 2001.