Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 September 2020
1172. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the estimated current and capital cost of increasing base capacity of critical care beds from 255 to 350; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21487/20]
View answerThe cost of a critical care bed has several determining factors. However, a survey undertaken by the HSE of active and recently completed projects suggests that new critical care beds can cost up to, and sometimes above, €1m, depending on a variety of factors.
The HSE has advised that the average annual cost of running a critical care bed is €747k. However, it should be noted that this figure includes costs for both ICU and HDU beds, with the ICU beds the more expensive of the two. It should also be noted that the impacts of COVID-19 and the new recommendations on distance requirements on costs are yet to be determined.
My Department and the HSE are currently engaging in regard to critical care capacity requirements in the public hospital system. However, in order to provide the Deputy with more detail on costs associated with additional critical care beds, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to him as soon as possible.
