Vol. 541 No. 4
311 Mr. Enright asked the Minister for Health and Children the estimated shortfall in acute hospital beds in day hospital facilities, in consulting posts, in rehabilitation convalescent beds, and in long stay beds in the Midland Health Board area in County Laois. [23073/01]
312 Mr. Enright asked the Minister for Health and Children the estimated shortfall in acute hospital beds, in day hospital facilities, in consulting posts, in rehabilitation convalescent beds, and in long stay beds in the Midland Health Board area in County Offaly. [23074/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 311 and 312 together.
The Programme for Prosperity and Fairness outlined the commitment of the Government to review bed capacity in both the acute and non-acute sectors. A comprehensive review of bed capacity needs has been conducted by my Department in conjunction with the Department of Finance and in consultation with the social partners. The review has focused primarily on the emerging need to increase bed capacity and to have a strategic framework in place in terms of the number of additional beds required in the short, medium and longer terms. The review will inform the finalisation of the forthcoming health strategy.
The next phase of the review will include an assessment of the regional bed requirements and related staffing needs across each health board, including the Midland Health Board area.
