Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 March 2004
160 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children the steps being taken to deal with bed closures and the ensure that optimum use is made of all hospital beds, in view of the fact that more than 50,000 bed days were lost in the first six months of 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7067/04]
View answerIt is a feature of all acute hospital systems that some beds are out of use for short periods. Bed closures fluctuate over time and may arise for a variety of reasons, such as ward refurbishment, essential ward maintenance, staff leave, seasonal closures and infection control measures. The figure mentioned by the Deputy represents just over 2% of the overall capacity for the first six months of 2003.
Some hospitals, particularly in the Dublin region, temporarily closed some beds during 2003 due to budgetary difficulties. These closures were in addition to the normal seasonal closures that take place in hospitals during holiday periods.
I have requested the Eastern Regional Health Authority to recruit the staff necessary to ensure all beds are reopened as soon as possible.
