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Hospital Facilities

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 January 2019

Tuesday, 22 January 2019

Ceisteanna (331, 338)

Lisa Chambers

Ceist:

331. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health the status of the promised modular unit at Mayo University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2417/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Lisa Chambers

Ceist:

338. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health his plans for Mayo University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2424/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 331 and 338 together.

As Minister for Health, I recognise that hospitals are increasingly operating at or above capacity, with year-round demand pressures that are further challenged over the winter months. It is against this background that the Health Service Capacity Review 2018 recommended an increase in acute hospitals beds of over 2,600 by 2031 to support the projected increase in demand for services in the years ahead.

Increasing capacity is a priority for the Government in line with the recommendations of the Health Service Capacity Review. In this context, an additional 240 beds have been opened over the past 12 months and the HSE's National Service Plan provides for a comprehensive capacity programme for 2019. The main elements of the programme are:

- the opening of 78 new beds by the end of the first quarter of 2019;

- the opening of an additional 75 acute beds and 70 community beds during 2019, as part of the Winter Plan;

- preparation of 202 beds this year, to be operational in the first quarter of 2020, including beds in Mayo University Hospital.

The HSE is currently also developing its Capital Plan for 2019. The requirements of Mayo University Hospital and other health capital projects at various stages of development are being considered as part of this process.

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