Bernard J. Durkan
Question:171 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the extent to which hospital bed places are adequate to meet requirements in view of demographic trends; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6106/02]
Written Answers. - Hospital Services.
As the Deputy will be aware, a comprehensive review of acute hospital bed capacity needs has been conducted by my Department in conjunction with the Department of Finance and in consultation with the social partners. The review, entitled "Acute Hospital Bed Capacity – A National Review," examines and reports on current acute hospital bed capacity and clinical activity, and it suggests a framework for the estimation of future bed requirements based on current activity levels, current indicators of inadequate capacity, increasing patient demand, potential changes to clinical practice and projected demographic changes. The review, which was published on 16 January 2002, helped to inform the Government in its decision to provide a total of 3,000 additional acute beds for public patients over the next ten years. This represents the largest ever concentrated expansion of acute hospital capacity in Ireland. In tandem with the publication of the report, I announced the first phase of these additional beds with the commissioning of an extra 709 acute hospital beds, of which 335 are in the eastern region.
Question No. 172 answered with Question No. 107.