Vol. 488 No. 1
192 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of acute hospital beds in each health board area for each of the years 1980, 1985, 1990, 1995 and 1997; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5661/98]
The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table. Data for 1980, 1985 and 1990 refer to the in-patient bed complement of all publicly funded acute hospitals at 31 December. The 1995 figures refer to the average number of in-patient beds available for use over the full year taking beds that have been temporarily opened or closed into account. As data for 1997 are not yet complete, figures refer to the average number of beds available for use over the January to June period. Day beds and beds in district, psychiatric and private hospitals are excluded from the table.
In looking at acute hospital service delivery I feel it is inappropriate to focus solely on bed numbers as a measure of hospital resources. In recent years, more emphasis has been placed on overall levels of service provided in acute hospitals rather than on the provision of a specific number of beds. This is a reflection of the major changes in medical practice which have resulted in a reduction in the length of stay for in-patient care and a marked shift towards day case surgery and treatment of patients at outpatient level.
In-Patient Beds in Publicly Funded Acute Hospitals by Health Board Area 1980, 1985, 1990, 1995 and 1997
|
Health Board Area |
1980 |
1985 |
1990 |
1995 |
1997* |
|
Eastern |
7,082 |
6,797 |
4,987 |
4,951 |
4,995 |
|
Midland |
527 |
463 |
516 |
474 |
470 |
|
Mid-Western |
1,122 |
1,104 |
784 |
784 |
778 |
|
North-Eastern |
1,075 |
1,066 |
994 |
898 |
917 |
|
North-Western |
499 |
580 |
572 |
668 |
671 |
|
South-Eastern |
1,135 |
1,160 |
1,031 |
1,129 |
1,114 |
|
Southern |
2,311 |
2,306 |
1,720 |
1,793 |
1,789 |
|
Western |
1,360 |
1,422 |
1,264 |
1,256 |
1,244 |
|
Total |
15,111 |
14,898 |
11,868 |
11,953 |
11,978 |
