Vol. 468 No. 4
208 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Health the total number of beds in public hospitals which have been designated as private beds; if he will give a breakdown of this number in respect of each health board area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15712/96]
Limerick-East): At present there is a total of 2,534 beds designated as private-semi-private in acute public hospitals. This figure is made up of 2,363 private-semi-private overnight beds and 171 private-semi-private day beds. This designation is subject to review in the light of activity patterns. I am satisfied that this designation is appropriate at the present time and that the formal designation of beds between private and public has improved the access of public patients to public hospital and acute beds. The table below sets out in detail the breakdown of private-semi-private beds in each health board area:
|
Health Board |
Overnight Beds |
Day Beds |
Total |
|
Eastern |
849 |
80 |
929 |
|
Midland |
77 |
7 |
84 |
|
Mid-Western |
241 |
26 |
267 |
|
North-Eastern |
214 |
9 |
223 |
|
North-Western |
144 |
3 |
147 |
|
South-Eastern |
212 |
13 |
225 |
|
Southern |
372 |
21 |
393 |
|
Western |
254 |
12 |
266 |
|
Total |
2,363 |
171 |
2,534 |
