Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 July 2022
525. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health current number of ICU beds in place; the number that are currently funded; the number of additional ICU beds that will be provided in 2023; the estimated all-in cost of a new ICU bed and support services and staffing for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38347/22]
View answerThe Government is committed to addressing the long-standing deficit in critical care capacity. Very significant funding of €77 million has been provided by Government across 2021 and 2022, to increase national capacity to 340 critical care beds by 2023. The HSE has advised that capacity of 333 beds can be reached by the end of this year, with the remaining 7 beds to open in 2023.
The HSE has advised that 51 of these beds are now open, bringing permanent adult critical care capacity to 306 beds currently, an increase of 20% from the 2020 baseline of 255.
The Strategic Plan for Critical Care, which I brought to Government in December 2020, will when implemented fully address the critical care recommendations of the Health Service Capacity Review. In fact, it surpasses that recommendation, delivering an increase in capacity to 446 over time.
With regard to the estimated all-in cost of a new ICU bed and support services and staffing for same, as this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible
