Vol. 539 No. 3
33 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Health and Children his response to the proposal from the Eastern Regional Health Authority to provide 325 additional in-patient beds; the proposed timeframe and funding arrangements for these beds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19197/01]
As the Deputy is aware, I initiated a national review of bed capacity in both the acute and non-acute sectors, on foot of the commitment by Government in the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness. The review is being conducted by my Department in conjunction with the Department of Finance and in consultation with the social partners. The review is at an advanced stage and will be completed shortly. I will bring the findings of the study to Government with a view to agreeing an investment strategy for the acute hospital sector.
In parallel with the national review of bed capacity, the Eastern Regional Health Authority, ERHA, prepared a comprehensive needs assessment indicating a requirement for 1,276 additional acute beds by 2011 to meet increasing demands. The objective of the ERHA review was to determine whether additional acute beds are required within the eastern region based on good standards of efficiency; population characteristics; and medical-health care developments.
My Department also invited the ERHA and the health boards to submit proposals on measures which could be put in place in the short-term to bring additional bed capacity into the acute hospital system. In this regard the ERHA recently submitted proposals to my Department which are aimed at increasing bed capacity within the eastern region. The proposals identify potential to increase the acute hospital bed complement in the region by 325 beds and 10 extra day care places up to 2003.
I am pleased to say I have already allocated additional revenue funding of £3 million to the ERHA to support the initiatives proposed. This funding is being utilised by the ERHA to fund the early commissioning of 53 additional beds and to support a number of initiatives aimed at alleviating pressure on accident and emergency departments and improving patient services.
I am satisfied this investment will allow for the enhancement of acute hospital services in the eastern region. The additional proposals identified by the ERHA are being examined by my Department and will be considered in the context of funding available and other competing demands.
