Richard Bruton
Ceist:1 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health whether she has sought information from each health board on the number of beds which are closed for the remainder of the year; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Health Board Bed Closures.
The number of beds in consultant staffed acute hospitals which are closed for the remainder of the year is 164. This represents 1.35 per cent of the total number of acute beds available, which is approximately 12,000.
The Government set the approved number of acute hospital beds at about 12,000 in 1990 and gave a commitment that, apart from the normal seasonal closures, this level of bed availability would be maintained during 1991. This commitment continues to be honoured.
Is the Minister not aware that health boards throughout the country are extending dramatically what she describes as normal seasonal closures? Is she aware that in the Mid-Western Health Board, in the second half of this year, 10,500 beds were closed? That means that about 2,000 patients for elective surgery have been affected? Would the Minister agree that to cut back on elective admission when we already have probably 30,000 on the waiting list will cause hardship?
I put my answer in the context of the commitment given by my predecessor, Deputy O'Hanlon, that the bed availability throughout the year would be maintained at 12,000 and this continues to be the case. The Deputy will be aware there are seasonal closures — a term which has been understood for many years, dating from times of staff unavailability, holiday periods and so on. I can assure the Deputy and the House that should there be any emergency or a need for a greater bed availability, as was the case during the term of office of my predecessor, the beds would be made available for such an emergency.
I know I should not question the Minister too forcefully. I congratulate her on her appointment as Minister for Health. Is she not aware that her predecessors commitment was that the level of activity would be maintained? Is she not also aware that in the Mater Hospital — to take one example — all elective admissions are at a standstill in virtually all departments? Would she not agree that with 15,000 already on the Dublin hospitals' waiting list this will cause turmoil?
The information which the Deputy has put forward today is not available, or is not in that precise form. Therefore, I do not accept it. I am aware of the commitment given and which continues to be given by the Government. I thank the Deputy for his good wishes.