Arthur Morgan
Question:63 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of acute hospital beds which will be closed as a result of the implementation of the Health Service Executive plan for 2010. [10452/10]
View answerWednesday, 3 March 2010
Questions (30, 31, 32)
Charles Flanagan
Question:73 Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Health and Children her plans to close 1,100 hospital beds in 2010; the location of these beds; her views on the impact this will have on patient services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10498/10]
View answer
Brian Hayes
Question:85 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of acute hospital beds closed nationally; the reason these beds are closed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10502/10]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 63, 73 and 85 together.
The most recent information on bed closures in the acute hospital system refers to the week ended 17 January 2010. At that time, 689 inpatient beds and 37 day beds were closed for reasons of cost-containment, infection control, refurbishment and seasonal closure of facilities. Due to industrial action involving members of IMPACT, my Department has not been in a position to obtain more up-to-date information from the HSE in this regard.
While public debate tends to focus on bed numbers, it is much more meaningful to measure the actual number of patients treated. In 2009, the combined number of inpatient and day case discharges was 3% greater than the equivalent figure in 2008, despite the difficult situation in relation to resources.
The preparation of the HSE's 2010 National Service Plan, which I approved on 5 February, maintains the focus on increased efficiency and targets broadly the same level of overall hospital activity as in 2009. This involves a shift from inpatient to day cases, a reduction in emergency admissions and a further increase in day cases.
While there is no proposal in the Service Plan to close a specific number of beds, the reduction in inpatient treatments will mean that less capacity will be required in this area during 2010. The exact number of beds available at any one time will fluctuate depending on such factors as planned activity levels, maintenance and refurbishment requirements and staff leave arrangements. Beds may also be closed from time to time in order to control expenditure, given the need for every hospital to operate within its allotted budget for the year.
Meeting the agreed efficiency targets will require increased access to the specialist skills and senior clinical decision-making available in Medical Assessment Units, to diagnostics and to other ambulatory care services. The HSE will also focus on minimising length of stay, with a particular focus on reducing the current variation across different hospitals for similar procedures. It will also work to increase same day of surgery admission and to protect inpatient beds for elective surgery in order to reduce waiting times.
By reforming the manner in which services are provided, I am confident that the HSE can deliver the volumes of service provided for in the plan, while at the same time continuing to improve service quality and patient outcomes.