Vol. 549 No. 3
250 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of extra beds to be provided at Mayo General Hospital, arising from his recent public announcement; the purpose and use for the beds mentioned; if this will mean a further extension to Mayo General Hospital; the process and timescale involved in such building; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6657/02]
A detailed analysis 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 subsequent report, entitled Acute Hospital Bed Capacity – A National 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 publication of the report, I announced the first phase of these additional beds with the commissioning of an extra 709 acute hospital beds in the current year at a cost of €65 million.
Of the 709 acute hospital beds announced on 16 January 2002, 45 will be provided in Mayo General Hospital. These beds will provide for an adolescent unit and the development of orthopaedic services at the hospital. The other details requested by the Deputy are more appropriate to the Western Health Board as the statutory body responsible for the management of Mayo General Hospital. Accordingly, I have asked the chief executive officer of the Western Health Board to provide him directly with the information requested.
Question No. 251 answered with Question No. 244.
