asked the Minister for Health if his Department or the Hospitals Commission authorised an investigation into hospital costings in a major Dublin teaching hospital (name supplied); and, if so, when the results of this investigation will be available.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Teaching Hospital Costings.
19.
Neither my Department nor the Hospitals Commission authorised an investigation into hospital costing at the hospital in question.
My Department and the Commission are, of course, supplied by the voluntary hospitals with annual estimates and accounts of income and expenditure for the purposes of recoupment of revenue deficits.
Does the Minister know of any investigation, such as the one I have mentioned, being undertaken by any other body?
I am not aware of any investigation. The Hospitals Commission used to examine the deficits of the voluntary hospitals and now, as the Deputy knows, we have annual budgeting in advance under regulations that have been agreed with the voluntary hospitals. The budgeting in advance should help towards ensuring efficiency. It will not be a sufficient measure in the case of all hospitals but I am not aware of any action of the kind suggested by the Deputy.
Will the Minister initiate any such action in view of rising costs? Perhaps it could be done as a pilot scheme in one hospital. That might be a good idea.
I will be speaking on that on the resolutions for the regional hospital boards and I will give in detail the purpose underlying the formation of these boards including that of ensuring efficiency.