Hospital Beds Data

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 11 December 2019

Wednesday, 11 December 2019

Ceisteanna (243)

Jackie Cahill

Ceist:

243. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health when the first beds will have patients in them at the modular unit development at South Tipperary General Hospital; the number of beds that will be operational on that date; the sequence, date and number of beds by phase until the 40-bed unit is fully operational; the difficulties including recruitment that could see the 40-bed unit not fully operational by the end of February 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52075/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The Health Service Capacity Review published last year was clear on the need for a major investment in additional capacity in both hospital and community – combined with a wide scale reform of the manner and the location of where health services are provided.

As part of the 2017/2018 Winter Initiative, funding was allocated for the provision of a 40-bed modular unit in STGH in Clonmel. HSE Estates have advised that equipping and commissioning is now underway. It is expected that the modular unit will be operational by the end of 2019 and that services will commence in Quarter 1 2020.

In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.