Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)

I have been assured that Beaumont Hospital will meet its service plan targets for 2010. These involve treating the same number of patients this year as last but with less reliance on inpatient stays. In turn this will involve reducing inappropriate hospital admissions, more same day of surgery admissions, more day care cases, earlier discharges and reductions in waiting times for elective surgery. The planned changes announced by Beaumont are designed to allow it deliver its service plan targets while remaining within its budget. For example, the increase in day case activity and the reduction in beds occupied by long-stay patients means the hospital can treat the same number of patients as previously with fewer in-patient beds. Beaumont has also assured my Department that neurosurgery, transplantation and cancer services will not be affected by the changes.

Treating people in more efficient and effective ways like this, with no reduction in access to appropriate services, is obviously the right thing to do given the very difficult financial position facing the Exchequer. However, it is also the right thing for patients. People want to access quality care as quickly as possible and be allowed to go home as soon as possible. There are constant calls inside and outside this House for a more efficient public service, changes in work practices and greater productivity. Despite this, we still hear opposition to such changes, with the focus being put instead on issues like the number of in-patient beds rather than the number of patients being treated and the achievement of best outcomes for patients.

Reforming the way services are provided, reducing costs and maintaining a clear focus on patient safety will allow us to treat people in more effective ways and protect access to appropriate services. I want to make it clear to this House that the implementation by Beaumont Hospital, and other hospitals, of this type of patient-centred reform will have my full support.

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