Richard Bruton
Question:82 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children the unit costs used in health planning exercises for health development options under various headings (details supplied). [27349/01]
Written Answers. - Health Service Costs.
The unit costs used in developing health service capital projects vary greatly depending on the function of the numerous departments which may be included in any particular facility. For instance, departmental construction costs at present day prices vary from about £1,000 or 1270 per mf7>2 to over £6,000 or 7618 per mf7>2, to which must be added on costs reflecting the nature of the particular site. On costs cover, for example, horizontal and vertical interdepartmental communication, phasing of works and decanting of facilities, roads, car parks, etc. These can add between 35% and 100% to the departmental cost depending on the individual site. Equipping costs range from about £100 or 127 per mf7>2 to about £27,000 or 34,283 per mf7>2 depending on the facility in question. All these costs are exclusive of VAT. Fees, miscellaneous and land costs are also additional.
In relation to the planning of the project examples indicated by the Deputy, the overall facility costs are estimated by my Department as follows:
New 300 bed regional hospital on greenfield site
£150 million (190 million) excluding land costs.
New 300 bed regional hospital on site of existing hospital
Varies significantly depending on site and re-use of existing facilities.
New 100 bed local hospital on greenfield site
£35 million (44 million) excluding land costs.
New 100 bed rehabilitation or non-acute facility on greenfield site
£15 million (19 million) excluding land costs.
New 30 bed day hospital
Varies significantly depending on the range of treatment facilities that may be shared with an adjoining in-patient hospital. At the low cost end it may be little more than ward type accommodation, that is a day ward, whereas in a stand alone unit a wide rage of expensive treatment facilities would be required.
It is important to note that the examples outlined are based on order of costs amounts and assume a typical range of treatment facilities located on sites which require on cost additions of less than 40%.
The following figures detail the estimated revenue cost only of additional beds. This cost was identified as part of the recent bed capacity review using case mix costs.
Estimated recurring cost per in-patient bed (no particular specialty)
These costs are derived from the national specialty costs programme of the Department, which is undertaken as part of the national case mix programme. The costs are based on an average of all the costs in the 32 hospitals which participate in case mix. These hospitals account for 73% of all acute hospital activity nationally and encompass the urban/rural split; teaching and non-teaching hospitals, specialist and non-specialist hospitals. Costs cover the full treatment and care costs.
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Per bed/Per annum |
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On an existing campus |
£127,097 (161,380) |
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On a greenfield site |
£154,677 (196,400) |
These estimates are based on 1999 costs, grossed up to 2001, using historical data. They relate to in-patient beds only and are based on the annual accounts of hospitals. They encompass the full range of costs for individual departments such as theatres or cleaning.
In relation to the details sought regarding the general medical service and the cost per additional person given medical card eligibility, I will write separately to the Deputy concerning eligibility under the GMS to various age categories and the cost of extending the long-term illness scheme.
With regard to the Deputy's question on the cost of substituting the private income of public hospitals by private funds, I confirm that if the Deputy would clarify this element of the question I will endeavour to respond directly to him on the matter.