On an annual basis, my Department collates data on major operating theatre numbers in all public acute hospitals, for submission to the OECD. Theatre numbers for the years 2011-2016 (as of end December each year) are set out in the following table. The data show that theatre capacity has increased incrementally since 2011. A small number of minor theatres also exist, but these are excluded from the data.
While the HSE has not carried out a comprehensive operating theatre modelling exercise or review, it has advised that, from available information, a significant gap does not exist in terms of operating theatre infrastructure but that challenges with regard to theatre access are most commonly related to staffing or hospital bed shortages, rather than direct limitations with regard to theatre capacity.
The HSE has advised that it has commenced a project to allow regular tracking of hospital reported unused theatre sessions in acute hospitals and the reasons therefore. The information gathered includes numbers of theatres, minor surgery rooms and endoscopy rooms managed by theatre services in the acute hospitals, and information on scheduled sessions. This initiative is currently in test phase.
The HSE is also progressing initiatives to maximise the quality and efficiency of operating theatre usage. The Productive Operating Theatre (TPOT) and Theatre Quality Improvement (TQIP) programmes are supported by the HSE and RCSI, based on the UK Productive Theatre Programme.
|
Year
|
Total no. of major operating theatres
|
|
2011
|
221
|
|
2012
|
222
|
|
2013
|
225
|
|
2014
|
239
|
|
2015
|
243
|
|
2016
|
245
|
