I am advised by the Eastern Regional Health Authority, ERHA, that the report referred to by the Deputy was completed in April 2000. Actual theatre utilisation was compared with that achievable if theatres were operated for five full days per week.
The main reason cited for lost theatre time was the shortage of trained personnel, particularly theatre nurses. Other factors which can give rise to under-utilisation of theatres include seasonal pressures which may lead to an increase in acute medical admissions at the expense of elective surgery and capacity constraints in other areas of the hospital, for example, ward accommodation and intensive care unit, ICU, facilities, leading to the unavailability of beds where patients can be transferred post – operatively. It should be recognised, however, that a number of hospitals have in recent years achieved significant productivity gains in the utilisation of available theatres.
The theatre utilisation survey formed an important element of the wider analysis undertaken by the ERHA of capacity constraints within acute hospitals. Underpinning this analysis has been a whole system approach which recognises the fact that service pressures in certain parts of the acute and non-acute sectors can give rise to difficulties in appropriately utilising existing capacity. This approach is essential in tar geting investment in order to achieve maximum patient benefit and efficiency throughout the continuum of health and social care. This system analysis has been set out by the ERHA in its recently completed bed capacity review. This review will inform the national review of bed capacity which will be completed shortly.
In co-operation with hospitals throughout the region the ERHA is addressing the management of how theatre time is planned, allocated and utilised by different specialities. The shortage of key hospital staff is being tackled on a number of fronts, including the operation, with good effect, of international recruitment campaigns. The ERHA is continuing to work closely with hospitals and other agencies to retain and recruit key staff. Recent figures available to my Department indicate that the shortages in Beaumont Hospital have reduced to ten from 110 in September 2000. Overall, 750 nurses have been recruited since the commencement of the international recruitment drive. I am informed by the ERHA that the wider factors impacting on theatre utilisation such as the management of acute medical admissions, early discharge planning and improved access to appropriate facilities are also being addressed within the region.