Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 November 2017
401. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health his plans to deal with the projections (details supplied) which mean that an additional 500 acute beds will be required in the midlands region covering Mullingar, Tullamore and Portlaoise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50279/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy has referenced, the ESRI recently published projections of demand for healthcare at a national level. The projections are for the time period 2015 and 2030 and show significant increases in demand across all health services, including acute hospitals. The ESRI research shows the demand for in-patient bed days (exclusive of maternity activity) is projected to increase by between 32 and 37 per cent by 2030. It is important to emphasis that this analysis was carried out at a national level and is based on national population projections. It is also important to recognise that the analysis is based on current patterns of healthcare utilisation and does not take account of changes in our model of care, especially the development of a more comprehensive community-based care system as advocated by the Sláintecare report.
Complementary to the ESRI work, my Department is currently undertaking a national Health Service Capacity Review. As I have previously stated, this national Review has a wider scope than previous exercises and includes key elements of primary and community care infrastructure in addition to hospital facilities. It is examining in detail the demand for all key types of hospital activity, including inpatient, daycase, outpatients, critical care, and emergency, in addition to those non-acute areas which most impact on hospitals, such as primary care and the care of older persons.
A Steering Group is overseeing the project, with support from external consultants commissioned to provide technical, analytical and engagement expertise. An independent international peer review group is involved in ongoing review and validation of the methodology and approach. My Department has also undertaken a public consultation process to ensure that stakeholder views are fed into the Review.
The findings from this Review will provide a basis for determining both the extent of capacity requirements over the next 15 years and the type of capacity that is needed at a national and regional level. The emerging findings from the review will inform the development of a new 10 year national capital plan later this year.
I expect to receive the final report of the Capacity Review by the end of the year.
