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Hospital Accommodation

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 June 2012

Wednesday, 6 June 2012

Ceisteanna (876)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

879 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he intends reopening closed beds following recent figures which show waiting lists have increased by 24% over the past year; the number of closed beds that he intends reopening; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26553/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I am determined to address the issues which cause unacceptable delays in patients receiving treatment in our hospitals. In this regard I have established the Special Delivery Unit (SDU), which will work to unblock access to acute services by improving the flow of patients through the system, and by streamlining waiting lists, including the management of referrals from GPs by hospitals. The SDU is working closely with its partner agencies — mainly the HSE and the NTPF.

In July 2011, I introduced a strict policy of chronological management of inpatient waiting lists so that after urgent and cancer patients are treated those waiting longest are treated first. This policy is working in the interests of fairness. I acknowledge that there has been an increase in the numbers waiting over 6 months. It was anticipated that this would happen as a result of the significant decreases in the numbers waiting in the over 9 month and 12 month categories. So while it has been reported that there was a 24% increase in number waiting over 6 months there has been a 77% drop in the numbers of adults waiting over 12 months to just 474 people and an 84% drop in the numbers of children waiting over 12 months to just 48. These figures continue to decrease.

As a priority, public hospitals were instructed to ensure that, by the end of 2011, they had no patients waiting more than 12 months for treatment. I can confirm that 95% of hospitals achieved this objective. During 2012 the SDU will support hospitals in the delivery of a 9 month maximum wait time for inpatient or daycase surgery.

Throughout 2012 hospitals will open and close beds on various wards in order to deliver the planned level of activity. These beds may be closed for a number of reasons, including cost containment, infection control and refurbishment. It is not possible at this time to determine what beds in which wards will be closed and what length of time they will be closed for. The decision to open and close beds is made at hospital management level and approved by the Regional Director of Operations.

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