Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)

Over the past several years we have increasingly relied on day case activity rather than inpatient accommodation as a way of providing treatment. Last year, the HSE devised a basket of 24 procedures with the British Association of Day Surgery and set targets for hospitals to increase day activity on these procedures from 62% to 75%. There are huge variations in performance across the country. Tallaght hospital does best in the treatment of hernias, with 84% treated on a day case bases, whereas some hospitals have rates of as low as 37%. Mayo had 16% day rates and an average stay of three days for its 138 patients. Some hospitals are better than others at carrying out procedures on a day case basis.

I will not pretend some beds are not being closed for cost containment reasons. Next year will be even more challenging given the reductions required in public and health expenditure. The fiscal adjustment of €6 billion will have a major impact on the resources available for health services, which account for 27% of current Government spending. The quicker we move to best practice on day activity, the better. This year, the HSE committed in its service plan to carrying out 10,000 diagnostic tests on an outpatient basis and to moving 33,000 people from accident and emergency departments to day case diagnostic activity. I look forward to learning the outcome of these commitments and understand the HSE is on target in delivering on them.

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