Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 July 2020
212. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of providing an additional 100 critical care hospital beds; and the associated staffing and equipment costs, respectively in tabular form [17728/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra289. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health his plans to permanently increase the number of critical care beds in the public system; the estimated cost of delivering a critical care bed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17883/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 212 and 289 together.
In early 2020, baseline permanent adult critical care capacity in Ireland was reported by the National Office of Clinical Audit (NOCA) to be 255 beds. Funding for a further 40 adult critical care beds, and two paediatric critical care beds, was provided as part of the response to Covid-19 in March 2020. The acute hospital system and critical care service has coped effectively during recent months, and this reflects the success of public health measures in flattening the curve. The additional demand for critical care was met by surge ICU capacity, with clinical staff redeployed from other hospital services and locations. Training was provided to over 1,500 nursing staff to allow them to provide support to critical care as required.
The capital cost of a critical care bed has several determining factors. However, a survey undertaken by the HSE of active and recently completed projects suggests that critical care beds can cost up to €1m. It should be noted that the impacts of COVID-19 and the new recommendations on distance requirements on costs are yet to be determined.
My Department and the HSE are currently engaging in regard to critical care capacity requirements in the public hospital system. However, in order to provide the Deputy with more detail on costs associated with additional critical care beds, including associated staffing and equipment costs, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to him with any additional information that may be available.
