Dáil debates

Wednesday, 10 October 2012

10:40 am

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas don Teachta. Níor chuala mé an focal sin go dtí inné, an focal a dúirt an Teachta óg ansin, "chillax". Sin focal nua don fhoclóir.

The details of the overdraft of Tallaght hospital were published on the hospital's website last August. Every hospital signed on for a particular budget figure at the start of the year and we expect them to live within these figures, although that is obviously challenging. It is perfectly in order and within its remit for Tallaght hospital to seek an overdraft of €12 million until the end of the year. A number of other hospitals have availed of similar opportunities. The board of the hospital approved the request for the overdraft and, as I stated in answer to a previous question, the hospital's €4 million overdraft figure for 2011 was repaid in January 2012. Tallaght hospital continues to implement a range of changes which are transforming the effectiveness of the running of the hospital and delivery of services to patients. For instance, at 8 a.m. yesterday, there were four patients waiting in the hospital's emergency department; at 2 p.m. there were two patients waiting in the department.

Tallaght is an example of the delivery of health care services that has been transformed through the national clinical care programmes. It has reduced inpatient stays and increased day-of-surgery admissions. As the hospital’s finance director said this morning, patients attend the hospital on the day of their surgery which is more effective. The hospital also has improved the appropriate placing of patients in the community who have completed their acute treatment but require ongoing nursing care for a time. All of these changes have been undertaken with patient care and safety as a central and paramount issue.

Several other hospitals have had variations in budget. In the Health Service Executive, HSE, July performance report Beaumont Hospital was 13.3% over budget, the Mid-Western Regional Hospital in Dooradoyle, Limerick, 18.9%, Galway University Hospitals, 8.4%, Cork University Hospital, 7.2% and Tallaght hospital, 10.6%. As Deputy Adams is aware, hospitals can avail of an overdraft facility, the equivalent of 7.5% of their allocation, in the final quarter.

The delivery in hospitals of competent management is bringing about a situation where Tallaght is an example of having come from an excessive overdraft to a position where it has been reduced substantially, despite the fact it has a lower allocation and an increased inpatient throughput.

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