Stephen Donnelly
Question:503. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the status of the provision of a 40 bed modular ward block in South Tipperary General Hospital. [30686/19]
View answerThursday, 11 July 2019
Questions (503)
Written answers
As Minister for Health, I recognise that hospitals are increasingly operating at or above capacity, with year-round demand pressures that are further challenged over the winter months. It is against this background that the Health Service Capacity Review 2018 recommended an increase in acute hospitals beds of over 2,600 by 2031 to support the projected increase in demand for services in the years ahead.
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.
Increasing capacity is therefore a priority for the Government. The opening of the modular build at South Tipperary General Hospital is included in the HSE's National Service Plan for 2019 and necessary capital funding is in place for the delivery of the project.
In relation to the particular query raised about the provision of a 40-bed modular build in South Tipperary General Hospital, as this is a service matter, I have asked to HSE to reply to you directly.