Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 October 2018
429. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health if previously closed acute beds in Letterkenny University Hospital will be reopened in 2019; if so, the number of beds which will be reopened; when this will happen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43641/18]
View answer€10 million in funding is being made available in 2019 to enable additional acute beds to be opened for Winter 2019/2020. This is the first step in the process of implementing the Capacity Plan which identifies over 600 acute beds to be phased in by the end of 2020, including a 20-bed short stay ward in Letterkenny University Hospital.
My Department is currently in discussions with the HSE, in the context of the National Service Plan 2019, to agree a capacity programme for 2019 that maximises this investment and supports the management of winter pressures into the future.
