Stephen Donnelly
Question:502. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the status of the provision of an additional 30 bed ward in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda. [30685/19]
View answerThursday, 11 July 2019
Questions (502)
Written answers
The Health Service Capacity Review published last year was clear on the need for a major investment in additional capacity in both hospital and community – combined with a widescale reform of the manner and the location of where health services are provided.
As set out in Sláintecare, moving care options for patients closer to their homes and into their local communities is a key part of the solution. In addition, community services are not sufficient to meet the demand, and this is placing additional pressure on hospital services.
An additional 267 acute hospital beds opened under the Winter Initiative 2017/2018, and the National Service Plan for 2019 provides for a comprehensive capacity programme.
The number of available inpatient beds is expected to increase to above 11,000 following the investment planned in the National Service Plan 2019.
In relation to the particular query raised about additional capacity at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Drogheda, as this is a service matter, I have asked to HSE to reply to you directly.